fire

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…)

The 5pm Post – Terrible Fire at the Takoma Education Campus

By Prince Of Petworth


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From CM Bowser:

“There was a major fire this morning at the Takoma Education Campus in Ward 4. School was out of session due to winter break, so no children were present and thankfully all staff that were in the building were evacuated safely. I do understand from Chief Rubin, however, that some Fire/EMS workers may have received minor injuries. I am on the scene at the school with Principal Rikki Taylor, other school staff and neighbors.

Having spoken with Mayor Fenty, Mayor-Elect Gray’s office, Allen Lew and Interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson, our top priority is ensuring that the children have a place to return to after winter break. I am grateful for the quick response of our Fire/EMS and MPD personnel.”

Fire Late Fri. Night at Mt Carmel Miracle Temple of God Church

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the updates and photo from the 600 block of Kennedy St, NW.

DCFireems writes:

“update – 609 Kennedy St NW – significant damage to 1st fl Church – 3 sty mixed use bldg, incl apts, poss 11 displaced (8 kids, 3 adults)”

and

“Update – Kennedy St NW – no injuries – cause of fire under investigation – damage to Mt Carmel Miracle Temple of God Church is significant”

and finally:

“Update – Kennedy St NW – cause, elec in nature; damage, $75K; smoke alarms alerted occupants; no inj;Red Cross not needed”


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Fire at Sweet Mango Cafe at New Hampshire and Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the photos of this sad news on Sat. night around 8:30pm.

Another reader writes:

“Literally, the building was on fire. From all appearances, nobody was in the building and the fire was under control shortly after I shot this video. After I stopped shooting, the fire department put a ladder up on the building next to the patio the blaze was on and used a hose to douse the flames. Lots of fire department personnel on the scene, along with the usual array of ambulances and squad cars. Honestly, didn’t seem like a huge deal and looks like the situation was handled quickly and with a fair degree of ease.”

@DCFireems says:

“Update – Ga AV – Correct address -3701 New Hampshire Av NW – fire knocked – no inj”

“Update – 3701 NH Ave NW – Sweet Mango Cafe – restaurant – fire under control – moderate damage – no injury”


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More info as it becomes available.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

Yesterday’s Huge Fire on 16th and Oak St, NW Claims 1 Victim

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

This house has been mentioned before in the blog I think. A 92-year-old woman died. This is how it looked this morning from the sidewalk.”

Indeed I have always admired this home (and the big tree in front of it). But obviously I’m far more saddened by the loss of life. Sending thoughts and prayers to the woman’s family.

Ed. Note: Yesterday I was away from the computer at the time of the fire. In those cases I usually tweet the news sent to me from readers. You can follow me on twitter @PoPville here.

PoP PSA – Please Check to Make Sure Your Smoke Alarm/Detector is Working

By Prince Of Petworth

It seems like lately there have been a number of devastating fires around town. Unfortunately a reader sends an update that a 2nd victim has died from the Oct. 18th fire that took place at 3132 16th Street, NW. Also earlier in the week there was a fire on the 2800 block of Sherman Ave, NW that displaced 11 residents and of course yesterday there was a 3 alarm fire that took place at 1444 Rhode Island Ave, NW at the Windsor House Apts that injured 5 (including 2 firefighters) and displaced 21 residents.

I know I sound square but please check that your alarms are working and have fresh batteries.

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