Washington D.C. firefighters and several U.S. Marines rescued more than a dozen senior citizens from a raging apartment fire at Arthur Capper Senior Public Housing building in Washington on Wednesday, according to eyewitnesses.
The Marines, who came from the barracks down the street from the building, were seen running towards the two-alarm fire in the apartment without a fire gear on.
“Marines rushed into the building to rescue those who needed assistance and evacuated residents to the Marine Barracks Washington Annex where they were checked and treated for any injuries and sheltered until their loved ones arrived,” read a statement posted on Facebook.
Great marines make great neighbors. Clearly, we’ve got the best of the @USMC at the @MBWDC, and we are forever grateful.
Now everyone has a chance to be a great neighbor. Make a contribution to help the Arthur Capper Seniors https://t.co/09LodYV4L4 https://t.co/6dimdiHRJg
— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) September 22, 2018
As the roof of the four-story building caught fire, and the firefighters climbed and entered the building from the ladders in search of residents who were caught inside, D.C. Fire Chief Milton Douglas told reporters at a press conference.
“We had four transports to local hospitals,” said Douglas, adding that the cause of the fire is being investigated. No fatalities were reported in the incident.