Two D.C. firefighters injured in early-morning Southeast house fire that displaced residents after partial collapse

Mayday call followed rear-porch collapse during overnight response in Southeast Washington

Two D.C. firefighters were injured early Sunday during a house fire in Southeast Washington after a rear porch collapsed, prompting a mayday call and a rapid-intervention response, officials said. One of the firefighters was reported to have suffered serious injuries, while the other was also transported for medical care.

The fire broke out shortly before 1 a.m. in the 3400 block of 24th Street SE, near Southern Avenue. When crews arrived, officials said, flames were already pushing through a two-story home. The fire also extended into the attic space of the attached neighboring house, broadening the incident footprint and increasing the complexity of operations.

Large deployment and second-alarm response

Fire officials said a second-alarm assignment was dispatched as the situation escalated, bringing a sizable number of personnel and resources to the scene. The collapse and subsequent mayday sequence required immediate coordination: the rapid-intervention response is designed to locate, protect, and remove firefighters when a life-threatening emergency occurs during an interior or close-proximity operation.

No civilian injuries were reported. Residents from the affected homes were displaced as a result of fire damage and unsafe conditions, officials said.

• Location: 3400 block of 24th Street SE, near Southern Avenue

• Time reported: Just before 1 a.m., Sunday

• Injuries: Two firefighters injured; one described as seriously hurt

• Residents: Displaced from two homes; no reported civilian injuries

• Status: Cause and origin under investigation

What investigators will examine next

Fire officials said the cause remains under investigation. In fires involving structural failure—such as a porch collapse—investigators typically assess how fire spread, how long structural elements were exposed to heat, and whether hidden fire in void spaces contributed to weakened supports. The reported extension into attic areas and an attached neighboring home may also factor into the timeline investigators build to determine origin and contributing conditions.

Officials said the porch collapse triggered a mayday call and a rapid-intervention response, and that two firefighters were transported for medical care.

The incident adds to a series of residential fires in Southeast Washington in which firefighters have faced hazardous interior conditions and rapidly evolving structural risks. Officials said displaced residents will need temporary housing as damage assessments continue and the investigation proceeds.