WASHINGTON — Two women have died from critical injuries after a fire broke out in a two-story building in Northwest D.C. early Tuesday morning.
Firefighters with DC Fire and EMS responded to 8th Street Northwest, off of Elder Street Northwest, before 3:15 a.m. after receiving a report of smoke showing from the second floor of a building. Upon arrival, like reported, firefighters saw the smoke rising and showing from the 2nd floor.
A few minutes later, around 3:20 a.m., they reported locating a victim on the 2nd floor of the two-story detached house. Seven minutes later, firefighters reported finding a second victim. Both victims were removed from the building but were later pronounced dead, according to a 9:33 a.m. tweet from the fire department.
"Our heartfelt condolences to their family, friends, and the community," the department remarked.
Just before 4 a.m., firefighters reported that the fire was confined to the second floor, which is now under control. No other injuries were reported from the incident.
The victims have not been identified, this includes their ages and names, but they are both adult women, Fire Chief John Donnelly said in a media briefing.
Fire investigators have determined that the fire was accidental as a result of an electrical event. "We are also working to determine if smoke alarms found in the home were operational at the time of the fire," they said.
The DC Fire Department has provided tips to help if anyone ever experiences an incident like this.
The tips include:
- Make a home escape plan
- Have an outside meeting place
- Practice home fire drill twice a year
- Teach children to escape on their own
- Close doors behind you as you exit