Firefighters battle huge city blaze seen for miles around as building collapses

22 October 2023 , 15:56

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Over 100 firefighters are at the scene (Image: @dcfireems/Twitter)

A huge blaze can seen for miles in Washington DC after a building collapsed - as emergency services desperately rush to the scene.

Firefighters are attempting to put out a rapid fire in Fairlawn, DC after the 3-story building collapsed to the ground following the blaze. According to the DC Fire Department, there are 20 crews and 100 personnel all battling the smoke. There are currently no injuries reported.

Social media videos and images show multiple crews attempting to get the fire under control, as huge billows of smoke can be seen across the region. A car was also reportedly caught up in the fire. Although some parts of the adjacent buildings had been extinguished, there are still others on fire, according to fire fighters. An evacuation order was issued by authorities

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It is unclear what caused the fire (@dcfireems/Twitter)

Emergency services are at the scene (@dcfireems/Twitter)

In a recent update the department added: "Fire has been surrounded by exterior attack with large diameter water lines. Bulk of fire knocked down. Some fire extension to adjacent structures that has been extinguished. Aprox 20 units & 100 personnel operating."

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The huge fire is spreading (@dcfireems/Twitter)

The DC Fire Department had said in a statement: "2 Alarm fire 1900 block 17th St SE. Fire throughout a 3-story building under construction. Partial collapse in rear. Exposures severely threatened." Images posted by the authorities show the building still bellowing with smoke and spreading across the street. Although the bulk of the fire has been put out, parts of the building are still spreading.

Remainder of building is in danger of collapse (@dcfireems/Twitter)

The fire comes just a day after two people were killed and a third hurt after a fuel truck was engulfed in flames in a horror pile-up on a major road on Saturday. The dramatic fuel blaze closed a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike after a tanker truck caught fire just before 11am local time in a fiery, multi-vehicle smash.

The Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Montgomery County has been closed off by authorities. All lanes of the highway were shut between the Mid-County and Lansdale exits. Drivers stuck in the traffic jam caused by the closure had been urged to remain in their vehicles.

The 3-story building collapsed to the ground (@dcfireems/Twitter)

It was initially reported that the driver suffered serious head and burn injuries after he was initially trapped in the vehicle. Sources have since confirmed two people have been killed and a third person injured. It is unclear how the incident occurred or what caused the tanker to catch fire. Police, fire, and ambulances are all currently at the scene.

There are no reported injuries (@daedam/Twitter)

Towamencin Township Police Department said in a statement: "The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has initiated Plan X due to an accident on the Northeast Extension. Officers are seeing increased traffic in the area due to this closure. Please use caution and be patient when coming through the area."

Liam Buckler