The Daily Feed

Apartment Fire on Rhode Island, Injuries Reported

Photographs for We Love DC.

A fire has occurred on the upper floors of a 10-story building on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue in Northwest (Update as of 5:30 p.m. – the apartment is the Windsor House at 1444 Rhode Island Ave. NW).  As of 5:15 p.m., 10-plus fire trucks have gathered in the area, in addition to numerous police cars and ambulances.  People were seen on stretchers, but the extent of injuries is unclear at this time.

Traffic is impacted in the area. Rhode Island is closed between 14th and 15th NW and 15th is closed from Massachusetts to Rhode Island.  It is also noted that 14th Street NW is open going north, but closed off headed south.

Watch this post and our twitter feed for updates.

Update as 0f 10:23 p.m.@dcfireems reports via twitter at 9:55 p.m., 21 residents displaced, EMS transported 6 — three civilians and three firefighters. Incident is under investigation but appears to be accidental.

Update as of 8:30 p.m. – 15th street NW remains closed from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, and Rhode Island between 14th and 15th NW.  Fewer fire and EMS vehicles on-site.

Update as of 7:23 p.m. – @dcfireems reports via twitter at 7:14 p.m., EMS transported 5 — including three civilians and two firefighters.

Update as of 7:03 p.m. – Area still blocked.  Traffic continues to be disrupted.

Update as of 6:04 p.m. – According to fire spokesman Pete Piringer to NBC Washington, several dozen people needed to be evacuated or needed assistance exiting the building. Several people were injured — two seriously — but none of the injuries is believed to be life-threatening.

Photograph of 15th and Rhode Island NW.

Photograph of visible damage.

See more photographs and eyewitness accounts here.

Crime & Punishment, News, The Daily Feed

ATM Bandit On The Loose

atm robbery suspect, courtesy of MPD

UPDATE (May 21, 2010 8:50am): According to MPD’s Matthew Klein, an arrest has been made in connection to these armed robberies.  The MPD is now actively reviewing all cases and determining which robberies the suspect, arrested last night, is connected to. The suspect is currently being held without bail.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is warning Northwest DC residents about an ATM machine robber working in their neighborhoods. The suspect’s (pictured above) most recent robbery occurred the DC’s First District on the 600 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW. MPD believes this suspect is responsible for other similar robberies in the Second District.

The suspect’s MO is to approach individuals withdrawing money from ATM machines, and force them to withdraw additional funds while threatening to harm them. Several of the victims have stated that the suspect is armed with a knife.

As always, use caution when using ATMs and be aware of your surroundings. Should you see anyone matching this description, or if you observe anyone acting suspiciously, call 911 immediately.