(Courtesy of D.C. Fire Fighters L36)

(Courtesy of D.C. Fire Fighters L36)

Update 9/20/18

Shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday night, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Twitter that D.C. Fire and EMS had successfully put out the fire at the Arthur Capper Senior Center near Navy Yard around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Firefighters were at the site throughout the night to make sure the blaze was gone for good.

Bowser confirmed that all residents had been accounted for and officials believe everyone got out of the building. D.C. Fire will be combing through the building again on Thursday when conditions are safe.

Officials will be looking into reports that the fire alarms and sprinkler system did not go off when the fire started, acting fire chief Milton Douglas said at a press conference on Wednesday night. Douglas said the building was inspected for compliance with the fire code a year ago and there were no violations as far as he knows.

Bowser said that 161 of the 162 units in the building were occupied. About 80-90 people in the complex are non-ambulatory, according to Douglas.

Currently, 87 residents are staying at the King Greenleaf Recreation Center, Chris Rodriguez, director of D.C.’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, said at the press conference. Bowser said that anyone with a loved one displaced by the fire could call 311 or 202-737-4404 for updates. She said the city is working with the public housing authority and Capper Center’s management company to secure housing for displaced residents.

At least four people were sent to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, and dozens have been displaced, WTOP reports.

Update 5:25 p.m.

Residents inside Arthur Capper Senior Center are reporting that they did not hear a fire alarm go off even as flames were visible outside the building. Neighbors of the complex that caught fire reportedly had to knock on doors to alert people, and Councilmember Charles Allen’s office called residents to alert them as well, according to a statement.

“We aren’t sure how the fire started at Arthur Capper Senior Building in Navy Yard. D.C. Firefighters needed to rescue a few residents via window from the higher floors. When neighbors saw there was smoke, they ran into the building and started alerting senior residents by knocking on doors. When our office got word, our staff started calling to alert residents inside the building,” Allen says in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon.

An initial count has every resident accounted for, according to Allen. The city is working to find them shelter for the night.

Original

About 100 firefighters have been dispatched to fight a two-alarm fire at a senior citizen housing complex at 900 5th Street SE.

The fire is not yet contained and firefighters are currently trying to rescue people inside, according to D.C. Fire spokesperson. It’s unclear how many people are left inside the Arthur Capper Senior Center.

At least one person has been rescued via a portable ladder.

The Twitter account for D.C. Fire Fighters Local 36 said conditions are deteriorating for firemen in the building, and rescuers were asking for large hose lines inside the building as they tried to make rescues.

Portions of the roof have caved in, and the roof and attic have been totally engulfed in fire, according to D.C. Fire. The blaze is currently not controlled, and firefighters are still engaged in vigorous attempts to manage it and make rescues.

Marines were been dispatched to the area.

According to its website, the Arthur Capper Senior Center opened in 2007, featuring 162 units “with Capital skyline views.”

This story has been updated to include additional Tweets and information about the fire alarms at the senior center.

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