Radio traffic & video: DC firefighters on scene as gas explosions hit day care center & convenience store
Firefighters were handling an outside leak when the two explosions occurred
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Firefighters were on the scene this (Thursday) morning when an explosion occurred at a day care center in Southeast Washington. This was followed by a more significant second explosion at a convenience store next door (seen in video below). There was only one minor injury reported from the explosions.
Video from the dash-cam of the first engine on scene captures the moment when the second of two explosions takes place at a convenience store on Marion Barry Ave SE minutes after the initial daycare explosion #DCsBravest pic.twitter.com/HJznowQdSk
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 18, 2024
At 9:32 a.m., DC Fire & EMS Engine 15 and Truck 13 were dispatched to the 1200 block of Marion Barry Avenue SE after a vehicle struck a gas meter. The block is a commercial strip in the city’s Anacostia neighborhood. Engine 15 found a two-inch gas line leaking with no access to a shut off valve. A second floor day care center was already in the process of evacuation. As the firefighters worked to move people out of the area there was an explosion at 9:56 that blew out windows and damaged the interior of the day care facility. Engine 15 requested the full box-alarm assignment. The second explosion occurred five minutes later inside the convenience story, leveling the building. There was also a large amount of fire with the second explosion. A second alarm was requested at 10:11 a.m.
It appears the one injured person was hit by flying debris from the second explosion. Chief John Donnelly credited the first arriving firefighters, led by Lt. Ryan Bolton (see interview below), with the initial evacuation that likely prevented more injuries and saved lives.
Update 2nd Alarm explosion & fire 1200 block Marion Barry Ave SE. 1 building has collapsed and on fire. 2nd building damaged by explosion. We are working on protecting adjacent structures. #DCsBravest pic.twitter.com/qORK5xZWnR
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 18, 2024
LIVE: Update From The 1200 Block of Marion Barry Ave SE https://t.co/bvstghUJdr
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 18, 2024
Bird’s- eye view of the two alarm fire thanks to @DCPoliceDept air support unit for assisting us with situational awareness pic.twitter.com/ED73UHldnG
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 18, 2024
#Breaking gas explosion rocks SE Washington, DC, smoke billowing across river, visible in Arlington/Alexandria from @7NewsDC roof camera https://t.co/T55cPHXuog pic.twitter.com/qXd9gdSRyK
— Michael Jaffe (@mjaffeterp) January 18, 2024
