An incredible video clip has emerged on Twitter capturing a group of U.S. marines sprinting towards a fire that had broken out at a senior house complex in Washington D.C.
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While many would have fled the hazardous, these heroic men knew it was time to act and sprinted toward the raging inferno. The building is located across the street from a gym used by the military men and is also in close proximity to the Washington Navy Yard. True to their name, this brave group of men rushed toward the danger in order to assist the vulnerable and rescue those in peril.
Marines from 8 and I running towards the fire raging in SE DC. pic.twitter.com/4vSKsuyTGo
— Lyndsey Medsker (@lmedsker) September 19, 2018
The flames began to engulf Arthur Capper Senior Public Housing in Capitol Hill yesterday, and smoke could be even be seen rising to the side of the Capitol Building, causing momentary panic from onlookers.
DC Emergency crews battling an apartment building fire in SE Washington. It is NOT at the Capitol bldg. This is numerous blocks away but the view from our bureau on the other side of the Capitol shows how severe it is. #washingtondc #uscapitol pic.twitter.com/EiEwDo2Dvu
— Scott Thuman (@ScottThuman) September 19, 2018
“#DCsBravest continue to evacuate the residents of 2 alarm fire 900 5th St SE. This 5 story building houses senior citizens,” DC Fire posted in an update.
A fire has broken out in an apartment complex for senior citizens in Washington, D.C. The building is near the Washington Navy Yard and smoke can be seen billowing behind the Capitol Building pic.twitter.com/M7EsT660ie
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 19, 2018
“We are using large water streams to attack the fire in the roof and attic, without endangering residents or firefighters.”
Fire in Navy Yard, Washington DC. Seen from my flight from Nashville. Yikes! pic.twitter.com/PM1UIYh9yv
— Josh Robbins (@imstillJosh) September 19, 2018
Firefighters noted that the blaze appeared to be affecting the fourth and fifth floors of the building and initially spread from the roof, though they are still unclear about how exactly it ignited. According to the Washington Post, some residents reported that the building’s fire alarms failed to sound when the flames began to spread throughout the residential complex.
D.C. Acting Fire Chief Milton E. Douglas noted that four people had been taken to hospital with minor injuries, adding that his crew “had extensive issues with extinguishing the fire because of the volume.”
#DCsBravest are making rescues and evacuating occupants from 2 Alarm fire 900 5th Street SE. Now have fire4th & 5th floors and thru roof. pic.twitter.com/AYlGnJ6REK
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 19, 2018
Ramona Williams, whose father lives in a second-floor apartment at the complex, told the Post that this was the third fire to occur in the building since 2009. She noted that in those incidents, the fire alarms and sprinklers worked well. “They always went off before,” she said.
Williams also confirmed witnessing the heroic group of marines carrying residents to safety as the flames continued to spread.
#DCsBravest continue to evacuate the residents of 2 alarm fire 900 5th St SE. This 5 story building houses senior citizens. We are using large water streams to attack the fire in the roof and attic, without endangering residents or firefighters. pic.twitter.com/VCgLA5Jwkm
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 19, 2018
“By the grace of God we haven’t lost anybody. Our firefighters were amazing. Our neighbors were amazing knocking on doors. There is no question their efforts saved lives,” said Washington D.C. Council member Charles Allen following the incident.
“The most important thing though is that everybody is safe and alive.”