D.C. fire officials said Friday they were investigating the cause of a Northeast house fire that sent five firefighters to the hospital, one with critical injuries.
Fire officials said the blaze broke out about 12:30 a.m. Friday in a one-story, wood-framed, single-family house at 813 48th Place in Northeast.
Firefighters were searching for people in the house when officials say that within minutes the roof partially collapsed, forcing heat and debris on top of the search crew. Firefighters activated an emergency call followed by a “Mayday.”
Five firefighters were transported to Washington Hospital Center with burns. One firefighter was admitted in critical condition. Three others were admitted with varying degrees of burns, while another was treated and released.
Fire officials on Friday identified the injured firefighters as Warren Deavers, Lt. Robert Alverado, Ramon Hounshell, Charles Ryan and Theodore Douglas.
Officials said neighbors told them the house was vacant, but was “sometimes occupied for one reason or another.”
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
• Matthew Cella can be reached at mcella@washingtontimes.com.
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