The members of E16 and Truck 3 Platoon #3 were dispatched to 33 K Street, NW for the  investigation of smoke on the second floor.  Upon arrival, E16 found a 10 story brick apartment building with normal conditions from side A of the exterior. Alarm bells were sounding and the building was being evacuated. As members made entry to the building, residents directed them to the third floor where they encountered moderate smoke conditions in the hallway.  The smoke was determined to be originating from apartment 306.  E16 forced entry to the apartment to find heavy smoke conditions and fire originating from the kitchen.  E16 quickly extinguished the fire as Truck 3 performed ventilation and overhaul.  The fire was contained to the kitchen and a search of the apartment by Rescue 3 proved negative.  

Ambulance 16 set up in triage station to treat victims of smoke inhalation.   

Box Alarm: Engines 16, 13, 4, 9, 7, Trucks 3, 10, BFC 6, Rescue Squad 3

Working Fire Dispatch: Engine 26, Truck 17, BFC 4, A12, EMS 1-6, Car44, Air1

Special Request: A16, Medic 3, Medic 10

Members of Platoon 2, Engine 16, Tower 3, Ambulance 16, along with Battalion 6 heard the squeal of tires before the tones were dropped by Communications.
Units were dispatched for the MVA in the 1300 Blk of L Street N.W. with people trapped. Engine 16, Tower 3, Ambulance 16, and the Chief arrived on scene simultaneously. Engine 16 gave a report of multiple vehicles involved, with one overturned. After a quick investigation by crew members it was determined that no one was trapped.

(This MVA was caused by a high speed chase with U.S. Capitol Police and a suspect with a gun. The suspect ran from the scene and a foot pursuit ensued ending one block away, putting it right in front of the quarters of Engine 16 & Tower 3. Guns were drawn and the suspect was apprehended without any further incident.)

Friday the thirteenth proved to be unlucky for some Shaw residents as fire swept through their residence. Units where dispatched for the report of a house on fire at 1419 5th Street N.W. Engine 6 arrived on scene and reported heavy smoke showing from second floor and roof. With in moments Engine 16 and Tower 3 were on location and going to work. Engine 16 advanced a 1 ½ line to the fire floor, as Tower 3 gave a rear size up with heavy fire from roof, extending to exposure (D). Tower 3’s roof team along with Truck 4 completed two trench cuts along with multiple ventilation holes, while the rest of the crew opened up inside the structure and performed primary search and rescue. A-16 Had side (C) aid station, and assisted units in the rear with equipment and rehab.

We regret to inform you of the Death of Firefighter/Technician James McRae III of Truck 12. Brother McRae died after experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath at the firehouse during his shift. He was treated by the paramedic from engine 20 but later succumbed at the hospital. He was appointed to DCFD on October 6, 1991. He is survived by his mother and a nine-year-old daughter, both of whom live in the District.

Brother McRae was the 99th member of the District of Columbia Fire Department to die in the line of duty. Our prayers are with his family.