By Sarah Roebuck
FireRescue1
WASHINGTON — Dozens of people, including children, were safely evacuated 15 minutes before a building was leveled due to a reported gas leak, according to NBC Washington.
D.C. Fire and EMS responded to the building in Washington D.C.'s Anacostia neighborhood on Thursday morning. One man received minor injuries and 16 children who were in a neighboring daycare were safely evacuated before the blast.
Video from the dash cam of the first engine on scene captured the moment the second of two explosions happened, fire officials said. The second explosion happened minutes after the initial explosion.
Fire officials said a second alarm was called to respond to the second explosion.
The explosions leveled a convenience store and damaged two other buildings.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said a tragedy was averted due to firefighters’ fast thinking.
“We’re grateful to the firefighters for making the necessary decision to get everyone out,” Bowser said.
A big thanks to @FFADC for providing warm drinks and other refreshments on a long and cold day to #DCsBravest. https://t.co/39Viablyxb
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 19, 2024