House Fire Well Involved In The Third

May 30, 2007...Vito Maggiolo
A fully engulfed dwelling greeted Third Battalion firefighters responding to a call in Southeast D.C. on Wednesday, May 30th.

A double local was initially dispatched for smoke investigation in the area of 1st and Xenia Streets S.E. Units pulling out of their quarters could easily see a large column of smoke in the sky, and, at the same time, the box was being filled due to subsequent calls reporting a house fire.

The 1.5 story frame dwelling at 104 Xenia Street S.E. had fire billowing from all sides. Command 3 immediately ordered a master stream attack from the exterior, due to the heavy volume of fire and initial reports that the structure was vacant.

Before the blaze was finally brought down, one firefighter and a civilian suffered burn injuries and another firefighter was stricken with heat exhaustion. Two additional engine companies and the canteen unit were called to assist at the scene.