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Massive Fire at 6th and O

Posted By Cary Silverman, 04/13/07 12:04 PM

There was a huge fire last night at 6th and O Streets in the apartment complex on the north west corner.  The fire began at about 1am with a vengance.  The fire department got it under control about 3am.  According to news reports, all of the residents got out safely even though they had very little time.  The fire completely destroyed 3 units.  12 units, including about 40 people, are displaced.  They are reportedly receiving assistance from the Red Cross.  Below are photos from ABC 7 and ABC 4 News: http://news.wjla.com/news/stories/0407/413943.html and http://www.nbc4.com/news/11801993/detail.html.  The second photo is what it looked like at 3am -- after the flames had already been largely subdued.

I watched the fire from by bedroom window -- it was stunning.  Crews were at the site this morning removing debris.  No word on what started the fire - given the speed and height to which it rose, I wonder whether arson might be involved?  Please let us know if you hear more and how we might assist our neighbors.

ABC 7 News - Several Residents Displaced By Friday Morning Fire

Categories: News | Comments (19) | del.icio.us | Linking Blogs

Comments
This is TERRIBLE, I'm so thankful no one was hurt.

Posted By Si Kailian / At 4/13/07 12:45 PM
washington apartments

Posted By richard rodgers / At 4/13/07 12:49 PM
Is the building salvagable?

Posted By Chris L / At 4/13/07 12:59 PM
it is brick so yes but maybe the owner has other plans.

Posted By richard rogers / At 4/13/07 1:08 PM
thats horrible. I'm sorry for the displaced people, but glad no one was injured.

Posted By sean hennessey / At 4/13/07 1:17 PM
Well the community did a great job, was it last year?, coming together and raising money for the victims of the house cave in on New Jersey Ave. Can the same leadership structure assist here or is it outside of the MVSq borders?
I'm sure those of us in the surrounding areas (TC, Hanover, other parts of Shaw) can pitch in to assist the families provided there is a leader to be the point person.

Posted By Mari Mxwll / At 4/13/07 1:37 PM
call the commissioner for that SMD, barbara curtis..i'm sure she's working on the action plan as we speak.

Posted By richard rodgers / At 4/13/07 1:50 PM
Just spoke with Commissioner Curtis. She is working with the Red Cross and had one of the families at her house when I called -- a grandmother with six children who are still looking for a place to stay for the next few days. She is going to put me in touch with the Red Cross so we can figure out the best way of getting donations of clothing and possibly financial assistance to the families. I'll post more as soon as I have the information.

Posted By Cary Silverman / At 4/13/07 2:57 PM
cary
did you take the 1st shot? the 1 w/ the fireman?

Posted By richard rodgers / At 4/13/07 8:04 PM
sorry i JUST read the photo credits!

Posted By richard rodgers / At 4/13/07 8:35 PM
i have found the United Way to be a far better local organization in terms of preparedness for supplying relief and other support. red cross is good for natural disasters etc. and donations cannot be made site specific. with all the wonderful churches and other houses of worship around here you'd think they'd be already there.

Posted By richard rodgers / At 4/14/07 10:43 AM
washington apartments has enough vacant units to cover for those lost in the fire. why wouldnt washington apartments provide temporary emergency housing for their tenants? why is Crawford Edgewood Management(CEM) keeping the units vacant? any answers?

Posted By richard rodgers / At 4/14/07 10:53 PM
walked by the site earlier this morning. wow, that must have been some fire to see. jesus, thank God the residents were alerted to evacuate. the windows are sealed and the roof is covered with a blue tarp..good job CEM.

Posted By richard rodgers / At 4/15/07 10:56 AM

Posted By richard rodgers / At 4/15/07 10:57 AM
We learned at the MVSNA meeting tonight from Officer Barnes that the Red Cross has actually not stepped up. Those wishing to assist the displaced families should contact the Washington Apartments' management. The contact person is Rondalle Mayes at 202-737-2207.

Apparently, the fire has been ruled "suspicious" due to accounts from witnesses who believe they heard something thrown followed by an explosion as the fire began, however, the investigators did not find flamable substances.

Posted By Cary Silverman / At 4/17/07 11:30 PM
Did the tenants have renter's insurance?

Posted By bogfrog / At 4/18/07 12:59 PM
I stopped by the Washington Apts. today, but was told there was nothing established for donations to the fire victims.

Posted By David Smith / At 4/18/07 10:42 PM
with all the vacancies at washington apartments why are they putting up the their tenants in "hotels"? there must ge a good reason why.

i called washington apartments three days ago and still waiting for a call back from ms mayes.

Posted By richard rodgers / At 4/18/07 11:23 PM
what church ownes the washington apartments?

Posted By rr 446 / At 4/18/07 11:24 PM
1300 - 1312 6TH ST NW WASHINGTON APARTMENT LP C/O EDGEWOOD MGT

Posted By Si Kailian / At 4/19/07 10:43 AM

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