(<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>Washington) - Members of Truck 6 (Mount Pleasant) are being commended for saving the lives of two people from an apartment fire in Northwest early Tuesday. Units responded at 12:59 am to a report of thick smoke coming from the top floor of a three-story apartment building at 614 Morton Street, NW. When firefighters arrived, they found fire evident from the front and side of the building and residents indicating people were still inside. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>
Members of the truck company, who were first on the scene, immediately entered the smoke-filled apartment on the top floor. They found two unconscious adults, a male and a female. Lt. D.J. White and firefighter Chris Worth removed one victim, while Lt. James Ward of Rescue Squad 2 (Petworth) and Richard Waldbauer of Truck 6 removed the other. Both were delivered to EMS providers outside. Engine 9 Paramedic Sharon Gavagan worked on both victims and was able to detect pulses. Both were severely injured. The man suffered from burns and smoke inhalation, and the unidentified woman suffered from smoke inhalation. Both victims were transported to the closest appropriate hospitals for their injuries. The man’s condition was listed as very critical while the woman’s condition was listed as stable.
“I am so proud of the efforts of our firefighters,” said Acting Fire and EMS Chief Dennis L. Rubin. “This was a textbook rescue operation that is indicative of the great work being performed by our personnel every day.”
Fire investigators and inspectors returned to the scene today in an established program that ensures residents have working smoke alarms in their homes. The cause remains under investigation, and the damage is estimated at $50,000.
An aggressive interior attack by firefighters brought the blaze under control quickly with no extension to adjoining apartments and no need for further displacements.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates 4,000 people will die this year in residential fires in the US. As many as half can be saved with a working smoke alarm. District residents can get a free smoke alarm by visiting their local firehouse or by calling the FEMS’ Fire Prevention Division at (202) 727-1614.