WASHINGTON, D.C. — Officials at Washington Hospital Center tell 9NEWS NOW that two of the four District firefighters injured in Monday’s house fire and explosion have been released from the hospital this afternoon. News of their discharge was withheld until after their release. Their families ask that their privacy be respected at this time.
Sgt. Michael LaCore from the Sherman Avenue Firehouse is the most critically injured with 2nd and 3rd degree burns over more than 30% of his body. Sgt. Lacore remains in critical condition. However, his mother Madeline says he has opened his eyes and squeezed her hand. Madeline Lacore is a Community Relations Senior Producer at WUSA-TV.
Firefighter Charlie Shyab was also reported to be in critical condition with second degree burns but his condition has since been upgraded to fair.
Fire officials say the two-alarm fire started in the rear of 621 4th Street, NE around 3:30 Monday afternoon. It spread to the four neighboring homes including 623 and 619. Heavy fire was already visible when firefighters arrived. Marsha Williams’ cousin was inside the rowhouse at 619 4th Street, NE.
“She heard 621. A boom come from out of the back upstairs and then it just exploded to our house, to my sister’s house ... My cousin got out ok. She was in there,” Williams said.
Residents told 9NEWS NOW they heard explosions. Fire officials say one propane tank blew up. The release valve on a second tank went off and propane ignited. Investigators say that fueled the flames engulfing the wooden rear porch of the rowhouse. The four firefighters were on the top floor of an adjacent rowhouse. Chief Rubin says they were probably trapped by a flash fire on the top floor that raced out of control.
“Our hearts do go out to the firefighters that went in there and encountered this fire which was a very difficult fire to fight. We’re very concerned about one particular firefighter, but this could have been a lot worse,” said Councilman Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6).
Mayor Adrian Fenty was also at the scene and expressed the city’s gratitude. “We thank all of them as well as all of the Fire Department for their heroic work. Not only putting out this fire, but putting their lives on the line to save property and to save lives,” Fenty said.
Two teams of DC fire investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and the injuries to the firefighters. No civilians were hurt, but one family pet was lost.
Fire officials say the preliminary findings indicate the fire was accidental. It might have been started by the improper storage of flammable materials.
Williams says her sister has three children, but they were all out of town with their mother when the fire spread to the family’s rowhouse. When asked about the work of firefighters Williams said, “Oh, they’re terrific. They are and they’re putting their lives on the line ... I pray for the ones that got hurt.”