Apartment buildings catch fire in Southeast DC – NBC4 Washington

An apartment building on Bowen Road SE caught fire and flames spread to two adjacent buildings Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities and videos.

The fire broke out in the 2600 block of Bowen Road, off Suitland Parkway. Crews began responding shortly before 2 p.m., DC Fire and EMS said.

A second alarm was sounded and additional crews responded.

One resident was rescued and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Fire Chief John Donnelly said. A firefighter was also injured.

“The roof is basically burned,” the chief said.

Firefighters believe it started in the attic or on the top floor.

Video shows thick smoke billowing from the roof of a building as flames rise into the sky. Firefighters could be seen spraying water on the flames from the ground and from a ladder.

People were evacuated from the building where the fire broke out. DC Fire and EMS directed residents to the rental office for assistance.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Donnelly said the building was equipped with smoke detectors, but he did not know if it had a sprinkler system.

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Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.