D.C. firefighters responded to an electrical explosion at 1801 K Street NW at around 11 a.m. this morning. It appears as though an electrical transformer on the penthouse level of the building malfunctioned and “basically exploded,” said D.C. Fire/EMS spokesperson Pete Piringer.
Several reports from individuals who were nearby described hearing a loud booming noise. No fire resulted from the incident, and Piringer said there were no smoke conditions inside the building, though we’ve heard from workers in the building that they were evacuated as a precaution. Some smoke was reportedly visible coming off the roof of the building, however.
Pepco says it is now on the scene and the situation has been contained, though it’s unclear whether and for how long electricity might need to be shut off at the building itself. No injuries have been reported.
