Small Fire in D.C. Displaces 75 People

A Washington, D.C. fire official says about 75 people, including 25 children, have been temporarily displaced after a small fire at an apartment building.

D.C. fire department spokesman Pete Piringer says a relatively small electrical fire broke out around 5 a.m. Monday in the basement of a three-story building in the 1500 block of Newton Street northwest. Investigators believe an arc in an underground power line caused a power surge that blew off an electrical meter in the basement. No injuries were reported.

He says since the building’s utilities have been cut off, residents aren’t able to return home. Piringer says a Metro bus was called in to keep them warm and an area recreation center will be opened up as a temporary shelter.

He says some possible code violations in the building are being investigated.