WASHINGTON – Firefighters alerted by the smell of gas in Washington, D.C., evacuated dozens of people moments before a building exploded Thursday morning.
Three buildings, including a daycare, were damaged in the gas explosion. Firefighters said 16 children were among the dozens they alerted before the blast.
D.C. fire department Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. said the first responders’ quick thinking saved lives.
“When the crew got here they noticed that the meter was damaged. It’s on the outside of the building, and where the damage was was below the above-ground shutoff. It happens. They’re well trained, they know what to do, they could smell the gas and they immediately evacuated,” he said.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
One person was hospitalized for treatment of minor injuries caused by flying debris, officials said.
Lives were saved by the swift action of the first arriving firefighters at this 2nd Alarm gas explosion and fire in the 1200 block of Marion Barry Ave. SE#DCsBravest pic.twitter.com/dHKBVBsKrk
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 19, 2024
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: