WASHINGTON — Firefighters and hazardous materials teams responded to an explosion at an apartment building in Northwest D.C. Friday morning.
DC Fire and EMS crews responded to a gas explosion in the 1400 block of Columbia Road NW around 9:30 a.m. First responders say the explosion happened on the third floor of a four-story apartment building with visible damage on the floor. The building was evacuated.
One person was hurt and taken to the hospital in serious condition. DC Fire Department Assistant Chief Tony Kelleher said no other injuries were reported. In all, the 35-unit apartment houses 33 adults and two children. Firefighters rescued 10 dogs and cats following the explosion.
Kelleher said three units on the third floor were deemed unsafe to live in by the D.C. Department of Buildings.
The Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region is assisting more than 50 families impacted by the explosion. The displaced families will receive help with financial assistance, replacing medications, emotional support and other recovery resources. A Red Cross truck was on scene to hand out food and water to the impacted families.
Kelleher said the cause of the this explosion remains under investigation.
Earlier this year, gas explosion demolished a convenience store in Southeast D.C., badly damaging the child care center next door. All the children, between the ages of 2 months and 4 years, and their caretakers were safely evacuated just minutes before the explosion.
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Looking at 2022 data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, there were 629 total pipeline incidents across the country. 265 of those were deemed "significant" because someone died, or due to the amount of damage caused.
Of those significant incidents, 40.4% were due to material, welding or equipment failure. About 23% were due to corrosion, and 4.4% were caused by a vehicle.
Is it not yet clear what caused the explosion on Friday.
We are working to gather more details. Stay with WUSA9 for updates as they come in to our newsroom.