Overview
- The fire, which began Tuesday afternoon, produced heavy smoke and spread from a three-story building on the 5300 block of E Street SE into an adjacent structure, triggering a second alarm.
- Crews initially entered to search and fight the blaze but withdrew after about 20 minutes and used tower ladders and ladder pipes to knock the fire down over the next hour.
- D.C. Fire and EMS reported no civilian injuries, one firefighter sustained a minor injury, and a dog rescued from a third-floor balcony was transferred to animal control.
- About 24 apartment units were displaced and occupants were directed to the Woody Ward Community Center for shelter and assistance.
- Officials said the cause is undetermined and investigators had not yet begun a formal origin probe as crews continued on-scene checks for hot spots.