fire

U Wine and Beer Temporarily Closed for Repairs after Fire Early Friday Morning.

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I just saw that U Wine & Beer is boarded up. I was there last weekend like 4 times and I didn’t see any sign that it would be closed for any reason, so this is a bit of a shock. Can you or any readers shed any light on this?”

Early Friday morning there was a fire tweeted by @dcfireems:

“2 Alarm fire – 1351 U St NW- U Wine & Beer – fire under control – no inj – significant damage”

I stopped by this weekend to see how they were doing (the owners are truly among the nicest people you will ever meet.) Fortunately, while there was clearly a lot of damage it looks a lot worse than it really is. All of the refrigerators were still working and a lot of the cleanup will be cosmetic. They expect the store to be closed for approximately 2-3 weeks while the repairs are made.

In the meantime, starting Tuesday at 4pm, there will be a fire sale of discounted beer and wine. You’ll see signs out front of 1351 U St, NW that will guide you to the alley around back where you’ll see dozens of bottles of beer and wine discounted that are just a bit dirty but are perfectly sealed.

UPDATE: Just got word U Wine and Beer denied ABRA permit for their fire sale – so no sale today. Owners are very sorry.

UPDATE2: Sale starts Wed. July 13th 4pm!

The owners also wanted to express their gratitude for all the kindness from residents of the U Street neighborhood.

Fire in Basement of Dupont Fine Wines at 1325 Connecticut Ave, NW in Dupont Circle

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the photos. He writes,

“just took this at fiesta restaurant and lounge, 1327 conn ave – looks like there’s a fire coming out of first floor”

DCfireems tweets:

“Update – 1325 Conn Av NW (Dupont Fine Wines) – 3 sty commercial bldg – fire in bsmt, poss elec in nature w/ extension- expect traffic issues

Update – Conn Av NW – bulk of fire knocked – checking for extension – waiting on Pepco-involved electrical equipment-power controlled by FFs

Update – Connecticut Av NW – fire under control – Connecticut Av closed in both direction S of Dupont Circle – North of N St NW

Update – 1325 Conn Av @Dupont Fine Wines, elec fire w/ extension to 1327 Conn @ Fiesta Resturant – no inj – NB Conn Blocked, SB partial open”

Big Fire on 900 Block of Decatur St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Lots of folks writing in about a terrible fire on the 900 block of Decatur St, NW:


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One writes:

“2 alarm house fire, 900 decatur. Rescue involved, up to three units in middle of block.”

More info as it becomes available.

Update: Another reader writes, “At least 4 houses were effected.”

@dcfireems tweets:

“Update – Decatur St – bulk of fire knocked – no inj – 100+ FFs on scene – 4 houses damaged”

Big Fire on M Street at Hook Restaurant in Georgetown

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

There is a huge fire at building on the 3200 block of M street in Georgetown. Tons of black smoke poring out.”

I haven’t heard anything else from DCfireems. DCfireems tweets:

“3200 blk M St NW – comm bdg – fire from roof – 2 sty – heavy fire & smoke”

Update 1:04pm from DCfireems:

“Update – near Wisc & M St – 2nd alarm comm bldg fire – bulk of fire knocked”

Does anyone happen to know what building this is?

Update 1:06pm from DCfireems:

“Update – 3241 M St NW – Hook Resturant – M St closed – no inj – bul of fire knocked, checking extension”

From a press release:

The cause of today’s fire in Georgetown behind Hook and Tackle Box restaurants is yet to be determined. It is believed that the fire started outside of Hook in the loading dock, however there are no official details as of yet. Owner Jonathan Umbel is waiting on an official investigation from the fire department regarding specific details on today’s regrettable accident.

“The most important thing to me is that our patrons and staff are safe and no one was harmed. We want to thank the DC fire department, which was quick and responsive to prevent any injuries to our staff, neighbors and diners. Unfortunately, both Hook and Tackle Box Georgetown are going to be closed for repairs indefinitely. We will be working feverishly to repair the buildings to have them open for business for our loyal patrons. During this difficult time, Tackle Box’s Cleveland Park location will be open for business and we ask our fans to support our brand so that we may be back on our feet in Georgetown soon.” – Jonathan Umbel, owner of Tackle Box and Hook.

Dear PoP – HUGE fire on the corner of Columbia Rd. & Georgia Ave. NW

By Prince Of Petworth


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The following email was sent at 2am:

“Dear PoP,

Smoke outside is so bad that I couldn’t even walk out my front door to take a picture. I actually smelled the smoke inside my house and thought my house had caught fire. When I determined my house wasn’t on fire, I walked out back to see if one of my neighbors needed help. There were all these rats running down the alley and black smoke billowing around. Then I went to the front of my house and could see that there is a fire truck parked at the corner of Georgia Ave & Columbia Rd. NW. The police and ambulance have all of Georgia Ave between Columbia and Irving blocked off.

It’s been this way for about an hour. Just from walking outside briefly, my clothes reek of smoke. It’s right by that new beautiful park that was built at the end of last summer.”

Fortunately no injuries were reported and @dcfireems wrote:

“120am – 3001 Georgia Av NW – building fire – 2 sty vacant bldg – heavy fire 2 flrs upon arrival”

Normally when these huge fires occur – photos are the most powerful message. However in this case, I found the above sentence – “There were all these rats running down the alley and black smoke billowing around.” evoked an equally powerful image.

Banana Leaves Asian Restaurant Closes in North Dupont Due to Fire Late Sat. Night

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Heartbreaking for those of us in north Dupont. All the windows were broken out.”

Thanks to all who sent in emails about the very sad news.

Banana Leaves is located at 2020 Florida Ave, NW. On Sat. night/Sun. morning (12:30am) @dcfireems wrote:

“2020 fla Av NW – 2 sty restaurant; damage-$200K; cause-malf gas water heater; area of origin-2nd fl;no inj; alarms worked.

Bananna Leaves (Asian) Retaurant, 2020 Florida Av NW ; business closed at time of fire; no inj; health dept notified.”

Thankfully nobody was injured but based all the emails I’ve received people are very saddened by this news. We judged Banana Leaves back in Dec. ’08 to very positive reviews.

I’ll be sure to update as more info becomes available in general and on a possibly renovation in particular.


In addition to Banana Leaves, its next door neighbor Universal Liquor remains closed as well.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

Fire at 800 Block of Kennedy Street NW

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

The fire happened in the late morning (January 24, 2011) on the 800 block of Kennedy Street, NW, two doors to the west of Taqueria II

I don’t have any details but there was a lot of smoke and very brave firefighters.”

Thanks to Rashid for sending the info and photos.

@DCfireems tells us on twitter:

“Update – Kennedy St NW – 2 sty house – being renovated – significant damage – unsafe to occupy – family will be displaced – no inj”

Horrible Fire in Bloomingdale/Ledroit Park Monday Afternoon

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Justin Burkhardt

“Dear PoP,

Horrible fire on the NE corner of 2nd and Thomas St, NW around 4pm Monday afternoon.


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I don’t know how it started or if there were people inside; haven’t seen anyone (civilians) be taken out; very scary and sad; under control but flames still teeming from the roof. It started in 1923 and spread to 1925; firemen burst into 1927 as well but not sure if that house (3rd from end) received damage from the fire. Scary.”

Another reader writes,

“All I know was that the fire started in the basement. No one was hurt; the person in the adjacent house was treated for minor smoke inhalation, as well as some of the firefighters.”


Photo by Justin Burkhardt

More photos after the jump: (more…)

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