CHANGE MY LOCATION
Local
California News
Multimedia News
Fire hits site occupied by elderly, handicapped
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Firefighters helped two people escape a blaze that broke out early Wednesday at a building occupied mainly by elderly and handicapped people, D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman Alan Etter said.
The fire was reported around 12:55 a.m. at 1845 Harvard St. NW, on the fifth floor of the building in Mount Pleasant.
Paramedic Lynette Kramer and firefighter Tony Kelleher found a 63-year-old man wandering down a smoke-filled hallway and carried him to safety, Etter said. He received treatment for smoke inhalation at George Washington University Hospital and was released Wednesday afternoon. Firefighter Paul Brooke helped an elderly woman to a stairway. One firefighter was treated for a steam burn, and 14 people were treated at the scene.
The blaze, which began when a cigarette fell out of an ash tray and onto the carpet, caused $50,000 in damage, Etter said. The person who was in the apartment when the fire began was not hospitalized.
Three apartments were damaged, but only the one where the fire originated is uninhabitable, Etter said. There were no major fire violations in the nine-story building, which is managed by the city, he said.
Comments from Examiner Readers
5:42 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 26, 2008 re: "Fire could summon 14th-century fear"
Report as inappropriate
12:16 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 26, 2008
re: "Fire could summon 14th-century fear"
Report as inappropriate
12:41 PM MST on Wed., Jun. 11, 2008
re: "Man’s grudge vanishes as blaze begins"
Report as inappropriate
10:06 PM MST on Tue., May. 20, 2008
re: "Residents find their apartment complex garage up in smoke"
Report as inappropriate
12:14 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 5, 2008
re: "Firefighters uncover marijuana at Mission district fire"
Report as inappropriate
8:11 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 18, 2008
re: "Fire spreads through Mission apartments"
Report as inappropriate
7:22 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 17, 2008
re: "Man’s grudge vanishes as blaze begins"
Report as inappropriate
10:08 PM MST on Wed., Mar. 12, 2008
re: "Man’s grudge vanishes as blaze begins"
Report as inappropriate
10:53 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 7, 2007
re: "Chief took $1,200 trip from Motorola"
Report as inappropriate
6:33 PM MST on Wed., Nov. 28, 2007
re: "Montgomery group homes seek help from county for fire safety"
Report as inappropriate
12:18 PM MST on Sun., Jul. 29, 2007
re: "Widow of firefighter remembers her husband"
Report as inappropriate
3:43 PM MST on Mon., May. 14, 2007
re: "Chief took $1,200 trip from Motorola"
Report as inappropriate
7:05 AM MST on Mon., May. 14, 2007
re: "Chief took $1,200 trip from Motorola"
Report as inappropriate
7:17 AM MST on Tue., May. 8, 2007
re: "Five victims of Harford house fire identified by the fire marshal"
Report as inappropriate
Albert Franklin said:
75,000,000 died during the Black Plague starting with 1354! What percent of this were European Christians? How does this play with America's and West Indian's Christians who were also exterminated because of their Christianity? What dreaded diseases brought them down from San Francisco to Gilroy and who is responsible other than France? If October 31 marks "All Saints Day" in Europe, why do we call Mexico's "Days of the Dead," not "All Saints Day" when it begins on the following day: 1, 2, and 3 November?
6 agree | 4 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
This story reveals yet more fear mongering propagated by the media. The real story here is not the possibility of a plague, but the desperation of an Examiner reporter looking to scoop a story. Give me a break.
8 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
he should have let it burn ... only section 8 drug dealers and illegal aliens lived in the apartment
454 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
that's too bad. wish him the best of luck
9 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Seven said:
In the Mission, the surprise would be if they DIDN'T find marijuana.
8 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I live just one block from the Valencia fire i would like to give massive credit to the SFFD for the way they handled this fire.. Way to go guys and gals...
16 agree | 9 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Eddie House said:
I would like to know why the police & fire department refused to investigate and take action against the tenants that discarded cigarettes onto my boat cover, on the dry grass area around my stack of firewood. On two occasions I found burned wood laminate strips placed on my deck and dry grass near the boat. But most of all want to know why after 12 or more false calls of burning trash “ and the city knows damn well they were FALSE CALLS as they broke into my home only to find firewood in the EPA woodstove” WHY DID YOU CONTINUE TO HARRASS ME ? AND NOT TAKE ACTION ON THE TENANTS THAT MADE THESE FALSE CALLS OF TRASH BEING BURNED?
493 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
When your being evicted from your apartment, you go out with a blaze of glory ? Or just another attempt to set fire to his boat that went all to wrong ? No cleaning or security depost refund for you ! But you are entitled to free room & board at the county jail !.
273 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I better watch out! I'll try not to cry... When Santa Claus comes to town I'll be wearing a frown when reporters get wind that; Citizens "took" gifts...instead of ; Citizens "received" gifts... Geeze!
178 agree | 187 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Very interesting and informative article. In Nashville Tn group home providers with less than 8 clients with disabilities are now required to have sprinkler system and many will close due to a lack funds. Who can I contact to get assistance? Perrion Gordon
194 agree | 195 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
i am allans daughter kaitlyn and i just wanted to say that he will be forever missed and that he loved doing wat he was i never loved any one theway a daughter loves a father. love, kaitlyn roberts
419 agree | 270 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Who cares?
360 agree | 363 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Why is this a story? It was $1,200 and the city reviewed and approved. Sounds like someone is trying to make something out of nothing. Shame on you.
506 agree | 362 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Precious Jenkins said:
i am one of the nieces of the decreased and the cousin of the mother. this is and was a terrible fire that took 5 members of our family. annette was my father's youngest sister and one of my godmother. my father just had lost a sister 1 year and 4 days before. and now he only have one sister. this fire made our family feel that life to short to be walking around and not talking and loving your family members. a family that prays together says together!!!
768 agree | 397 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree