Gas explosion rocks DC apartment building; 1 occupant hospitalized in serious condition

WASHINGTON - An explosion at an apartment building in Washington, D.C., on Friday morning left one person seriously injured and caused significant damage to the building’s third floor. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Noah Gray, Chief Communications Officer for DC Fire and EMS, and Assistant Chief of Operations, Tony Kelleher said crews were dispatched to the 1400 block of Columbia Road just before 9:30 a.m. where several citizens reported an explosion inside the building.

Firefighters entered and discovered damage and signs of an explosion on the building’s third floor. Kelleher said two systematic searches of the building revealed no occupants were inside, but one resident had already assisted an injured occupant from the apartment unit where the explosion was believed to have originated. 

The injured individual was transported to a local hospital where they remain with serious injuries, Kelleher said.

Firefighters also rescued approximately 10 dogs and cats from the building, which houses 35 units and was occupied by 33 adults and two children at the time of the incident. 

Displacements are expected, Kelleher said, as the investigation into the cause of the explosion continues.

Kelleher also confirmed the absence of a sprinkler system in the building. He said, if a fire suppression system is found as the investigation continues, it will be inspected to determine if it was functional at the time of the blast.

Kelleher also said structural concerns due to dislodged walls and doors arose after the explosion. He said the department’s collapse response units were deployed to assess the building’s integrity. Three of the 35 apartments on the third floor have been condemned, he said, but the rest of the building was deemed structurally sound otherwise.

Currently, no residents are being allowed back into the building until the investigation concludes and utilities are safely restored. Officials are hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon and said efforts were being made to ensure the displaced residents would be able to access their medications and belongings.

To protect the safety of tenants, the D.C. Department of Buildings has closed the property and all tenants were placed in temporary housing. 

DOB says it has contacted the owner's team to explain they must retain a licensed plumber to stress test and confirm gas line integrity, and they confirmed they will do so.