August 24, 2005
Breaking News: Capitol Lounge Burns Down
DCist is hearing unsubstantiated reports Capitol Hill institution the Capitol Lounge suffered from a serious fire last night. We are currently attempting to get a hold of the D.C. Fire Department for confirmation, and will alert DCist readers with the full story when it becomes available. If readers have further information, please leave them in the comments.
UPDATE: Thanks to the commenters, who note that NBC4 is confirming the fire. The station reports that the fire was started by an errant cigarette in thrown in a trash can. The inside of the Lounge is lost, but the residents living above have not been affected. The developing story is now available via WTOP.
UPDATE, 11:15 a.m.: A DCist reader has sent us some photos of the damage taken by Juan Garcia. See the complete set here.
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NBC 4 reported it; it's gone.
NBC4 did a story on this approx. 30 min ago.
The interior of the bar is gutted, the residents upstairs are safe. Evidently it was an accidental fire started when a worker tossed a cigarette into a trash can early this morning (not sure if that means, during closing down or what).
It's a sad day in Washington.
Smoke Free DC baby...
WTOP has it -- link: http://www.wtop.com/?sid=557368&nid=25
Ben: Beat me to it by 30 seconds.
sa: That's a little insensitive.
Perhaps we should have Car-Free DC as well. Accidents happen with those too.
oh rocket1124, lighten up, it's just a joke.
NBC4 link now available: http://www.nbc4.com/news/4890326/detail.html?rss=dc&psp=news
What am I gonna do about my 10-cent wings now???
Must rebuild! I need my Kemp's Buffalo Experience. I need the doughnut machine!
hate to bring up an unsavory topic, but does anyone find it odd that this happens right as the owner of the Cap Lounge is about to open up a string of other bars (a cash intensive proposition), and now stands ready to gain a pretty hefty insurance payout from this?
this happens more often than most would like to admit...a particular developer/multi-bar owner in my hometown had this same thing "happen" to him repeatedly.
just a thought.
51st State in Foggy Bottom has 10 cent wings on Tuesdays also. Not sure, but I think owned by the same people.
I think the Smoke Free DC comments are totally appropriate. Tobacco is both a health hazard and a fire hazard, especially in bars. This is a perfect example of one of the dangers of allowing smoking in bars. Had the smoking ban been passed two months ago, Capitol Lounge would still be there.
Since when can canadians make wings?
No more hot doughnuts? But they were the only reason to leave the house when it snowed. And a great excuse to start drinking at 10am.
SA: Tasteless, also funny. CG: Deep Calming Breaths. In through the cigarette. Out through the mouth.
-WC
"Investigators determined an improperly discarded cigarette that was tossed into a trashcan by a workman caused the fire."
Seems to imply it was the workman's cigarette...hate to burst your bubble, Smokefree DCers, but your precious smokefree legislation isn't going to discourage after-hours cleanup crews from smoking while cleaning.
This is truly a sad day for humanity. I will miss you sweet sweet Capitol Lounge. I loved the way you made me feel when I walked (often) through your doors. You held me, you rocked me, and slowly sang me a sweet lullabye.
Goodnight sweet Capitol Lounge and may you rest in eternal peace.
The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind. The answer she's blowing in the wind...
Go to http://blog.360.yahoo.com/sigepfeds. Our fraternity alumni group had our wing night there last night, and have quite possibly the last pics taken of the inside. We also have pics of the damage, taken this morning.
.15 Wings on Tuesdays at Big Hunt.
Close to home, delicious beer on tap, fewer self-important nerds, 92% fire damage free, hidden back deck, skeevy basement fun, other attractive qualities to numerous to mention, etc.
Do some idiots honestly believe a cigarette tossed carelessly in a garbage can caused extensive damage like this? Wake up. Tony has already gone on record to say that the fire's original location (back of the bar) and extent of the damage (widespread) indicates an electrical or similar cause. Stop using it as fodder to ruin the city's small business owners with a smoking ban.
it was caused by faulty wiring, not a tossed cigarette
How do you (naysayer) know what kind of insurance coverage the owners had?
I don't think that it matters what kind of insurance policy they have, Dick. I agree 150% with "naysayer" that this is fishy. The owner is getting ready to open many new bars. Convenient that the one that possibly has electrical problems (see post from "Are you kidding?") and, for anyone who has been in their bathroom, plumbing problems....in a very old building that takes a lot of money to keep up...and is worth a hell of a lot more money than when it was purchased...
I think that it is probably pretty convenient to get that insurance check.
Plus, any bar owner that doesn't have fire insurance is an idiot, and I don't think that Englert falls into that category.
I hope that there will be more investigation into the cause of this fire.
I tend to think that the amount of money the Lounge pulled in a night -- especially around this time of year, when staffers are coming back and cheapskate interns are leaving -- was a far more predictable and regular source of income than any insurance policy. Though cash certainly aids in opening new bars, I bet consistent cash flow enables a stronger credit line -- which is probably better financial sense in the long run. Suspiciosa, you're right, Englert is no idiot. Which is why I'd be willing to bet this was really an accident. And a sad one.
SUSPICIOSA...you are talking through your ass. Mr. Englert has already bought new wood for the floor and is also trying to replace the memoribilia (did i spell that correctly?) All this without any insurance money...if you want something fishy piss off to the waterfront
Kanishka--thanks for all the nice words. Cap Lounge will be back soon. I am working to recreate all the memorabilia searching the East Coast for wood floors, paneling, antique bricks....
Fire inspectors say origin of fire narrowed down to 15-18 sources (fans, motors, lights, computers). Rough to pinpoint the source.
To naysayer and others: My house in New Orleans is in ruins. Did I cause the hurricane to collect the insurance money?
Also, my Jeep got stolen three weeks ago. How far will that insurance money (I chose not to collect after finding it again)take the buildout of H? Anyway...Anyway, this place is something I love too dearly not to mend, fix up and reintroduce to the Hill. I really appreciate all the generous offers I have had from people all over town to help employees, to paint, to get the word out when I reopen, etc. It may only be bricks and mortar but the place has a soul and we will not let it die......Joe Englert
I am helping Mr. Englert collect political memorabilia and soccer scarves to redecorate the Lounge. There is a box placed in front of Capitol Lounge, please donate anything you can. Thanks for all your support!
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