Four-Alarm Fire in Adams Morgan: Oh, the Pressure
Two D.C. firefighters were injured when the roof collapsed in a raging fire at 2627 Adams Mill Road, a condo building that was almost certainly destroyed this morning. Things could have gone worse, of course, since no residents were hurt or killed, but things could have decidedly gone better. But don't worry, folks. Jim Graham is on it.
The councilmember, who lives around the corner at the Ontario, got the call around 2:30 a.m., about an hour after D.C. Fire and EMS got it, and, per his usual, was at the scene shortly thereafter to assess things. By 10 a.m. he was ready to sum up: D.C. has crappy infrastructure. Well, to be fair, he did not say "crappy." What he said to me this morning was "ancient," but what he meant is crappy. To fight a four-alarm fire, you need a good amount of water pressure, something the 8- and 12-inch lines running under Adams Morgan can't really provide. So firefighters were forced to line hose all the way from Connecticut Avenue, where hydrants are hooked into 20-inch lines, across Ellington Bridge, down the length of Calvert Street and around the corner to Adams Mill--some 2,000 feet of hose--which consequently closed all those well-traveled streets, as well as the intersection at 18th and Columbia.
While that was happening, flames powered through the red-tiled roof of the building, which has roughly 30 units, according to Graham. Residents of 2627 Adams Mill and those in the buildings on either side were evacuated; the Red Cross was called in. The two injured firefighters were hit by falling debris and possibly went though roof; at least one, says Graham, had to pass directly through the fire in order to get out. Another one had to climb down two strung-together ladders: The 45-foot one firefighters had on hand wasn't long enough.
"A four-alarm fire is unusual," Graham said, "but we have to be prepared for the unusual. This is a warning for us." Next up: Graham vs. WASA.
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Linked From: October 1st, 2007Stateria.Com » Four-Alarm Fire in Adams Morgan: Oh, the Pressure
1:18 pm[...] wrote an interesting post today on Four-Alarm Fire in Adams Morgan: Oh, the PressureHere’s a quick [...]
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Linked From: October 1st, 2007DCBlogs » DC Blogs Noted
11:48 pm[...] injured when the roof collapsed in a raging fire at 2627 Adams Mill Road, a condo building that was almost certainly destroyed this [...]
12:17 pm
CM Graham may have gotten the call at 2:30 in the morning, but as a resident of the street who stood outside with folks I can say, without a doubt that he was not out there before 4:30 a.m.
7:35 pm
hey "adams morgan"... maybe Graham could do more good on the phone and in front of his computer than you did standing there ogling the fire.
Graham is on the ball. Just cause he didn't show up to watch like you did doesn't mean he wasn't on it.
and shame on you for taking that nick and trying to speak for all of us.
10:24 pm
Please pass this info on to anyone who might be interested in helping residents of the Avalon:
FUNDRAISER HAPPY HOUR FOR AVALON FIRE RELIEF
http://www.avalonBenefit.com
On Monday, October 1, there was a huge fire in the Avalon (2627 Adams Mill Rd NW) that left around 50 people homeless. Damages are in the millions.
Join the community in collecting donations for the Avalon's residents Thursday (October 11) from 6-9pm
at
18th and Red
2436 18th St. NW
http://www.18thandred.com
202-462-8844
Your $10 donation at the door gets you:
*Yummy Food
*Drink Specials ($3 drafts, $4 rail drinks and wine)
*Chance to win fabulous prizes donated by local sponsors! (raffle and auction)
If you are interested in donating a prize for the fundraiser, please contact AvalonBenefit@gmail.com.
Also, if you cannot make the findraiser event or want to donate ASAP, the Avalon's Condo Board is accepting donations and will disburse them to affected residents. If you would like to make a donation to help the Avalon's residents, please make checks out to Avalon Fire Relief and direct them to Mindel Management:
1760 Swann St. NW, WDC 20009
202-232-4653