DC Firefighters rescued nine people tonight, including seven children, after an explosion sent fire raging through a Southeast apartment building.

At approximately 9:00 pm, residents of the three-story apartment building at 5340 C St., SE heard a loud explosion in a ground floor apartment. Units on the upper floors began to fill with smoke as people ran from the building.

Firefighters from Engine 27 and Truck 17 arrived quickly to find people on the second and third floors crowding the windows, afraid to leave their apartments, fearing the fire and smoke. Firefighter Chuck Ryan from Truck 17 immediately stood a ground ladder to the second floor and lifted seven children of out the window and into the arms of waiting firefighters below. The aerial ladder was extended to the third floor, where two adults were waiting. Firefighter Reggie Miller from Truck 17 helped those people onto the ladder and then down to the ground.

Two people were taken to local hospitals for treatment. A 32-year-old woman was transported for observation because she is pregnant. An 81-year-old man was also taken to the hospital for treatment of minor smoke inhalation.

Fire investigators have determined the cause of the fire is accidental, the result of a renovation project underway in the vacant apartment where the explosion occurred. Workers left a can of adhesive open in the kitchen, where new tile is being laid. The fumes apparently accumulated and were then ignited by the pilot light from the stove. Damage has been estimated at $10,000.

Firefighter Chuck Ryan

The crews from Engine 27 & Truck 17