An otherwise routine afternoon on Barnaby Terrace SE turned tense when a row-home fire in Southeast Washington, D.C., sent a District firefighter to the hospital with minor injuries and forced five residents and their cat out of their home. Crews arriving on scene found smoke on both floors and had the flames under control in about 30 minutes. The displaced residents included three adults and two children.
What officials reported
According to the D.C. Fire and EMS Department, the blaze was reported shortly after 3 p.m. in the 1200 block of Barnaby Terrace SE. Firefighters arrived to find smoke on both floors and knocked down the flames by about 3:30 p.m. The department said one firefighter sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, and no other injuries were reported.
Residents and assistance
Three adults, two children and a cat were displaced by the fire, and the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services is coordinating temporary housing. That assistance and the department’s on-scene update were reported by FOX 5 DC. City staff and neighborhood volunteers remained on site as crews cleared the scene and secured the structure.
Investigators are still working to determine what sparked the blaze, the department said. The D.C. Fire and EMS Department also urged residents to check smoke alarms and review household escape plans as part of its routine safety guidance.
