A two-alarm fire tore through a 10-story apartment building on the 4600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SW early Tuesday, sending one firefighter and three adults to hospitals with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Crews rolled up just after 2 a.m. to find heavy smoke and visible flames on the upper floors. Firefighters knocked down the main body of the blaze and were wrapping up ventilation and overhaul work by about 4 a.m. Neighbors reported a massive emergency response, and nearby lanes on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue stayed shut while crews worked the scene.
How the fire started and the timeline
According to DC Fire and EMS, the fire started in an eighth-floor apartment and spread into adjacent units in the 10-story building. Crews quickly upgraded the response to a two-alarm fire, concentrating on extinguishing the flames and clearing smoke as the night wore on. Ventilation and salvage operations continued into the morning while officials secured the structure and began early investigative work, as first reported by WJLA.
Injuries and displacement
DC Fire and EMS said one firefighter and three adults were transported to hospitals, all with injuries considered non-life-threatening. Some residents were treated on scene. Officials added that the exact number of displaced tenants was still being worked out as crews continued methodical building checks and safety inspections. The department did not immediately release the names of the injured or the medical facilities where they were taken, citing ongoing notifications and privacy protocols, according to DC Fire and EMS.
Road closures and neighborhood impact
The 4500 and 4600 blocks of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SW, between Forrester and Joliet streets, were closed while firefighters operated on scene, and drivers were urged to steer clear of the area. Residents in nearby buildings reported seeing ladder and engine companies lined along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and heavy smoke during the early-morning push to contain the blaze. Coverage from WJLA shows multiple fire units staged along the avenue as ventilation and overhaul continued, while city teams coordinated plans to allow residents back in once safety checks were complete.
Investigation and safety reminders
Fire marshals are now handling the scene and are asking residents or anyone with video or information to come forward as they work to determine how the fire started. DC Fire and EMS said investigators will focus on the eighth-floor unit where the blaze began and will interview occupants and witnesses as part of the probe. The department also repeated its standard fire-safety reminders, including checking smoke alarms and keeping an escape plan in mind for high-rise units, as recovery efforts and tenant outreach move forward, according to DC Fire and EMS.
