Update: Two FFs remain in critical condition after DC row house fire. Fire fueled by LP gas tank BLEVE. Raw video of fire and late night briefing.

Personal note: Sgt. Michael Lacore’s mother, Madeline, has been a long-time producer at Channel 9 who has looked out for all of us through the years. I joined her at the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit Monday afternoon to offer any help the station could provide. As I fully expected, there was nothing for me to do. The staff at the burn unit, the large contingent from DC Fire & EMS, the leadership of IAFF Local 36 and the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation, all were doing a remarkable job. While, as I am sure you will understand, I can’t report on anything I witnessed or heard there, I don’t think I will get in trouble for noting the wonderful support system that is in place for each of the families. Our thoughts are with all of them.

Watch raw video of fire from Vito Maggiolo, DC Fire & EMS photographer

Watch the entire 10:30 p.m. DC Fire & EMS press conference

Watch 9NEWS NOW report at 11:00 p.m.

Watch 9NEWS NOW report at 7:00 p.m.

Update 11:00 a.m. Sgt. Michael Lacore remains in critical condition. He is out of surgery that occurred this morning and is still sedated. Firefighter Charlie Shyab has been upgraded to good condition. He has been transferred to the burn stepdown unit. Firefighters Kenneth Humphries and Douglas Donnelly are still listed in good condition and continue to improve.

At the press conference, Chief Rubin confirmed that linseed oil-soaked rags left next to a fence ignited through spontaneous combustion. The fire spread from there to the rear porch at 621 4th Street, NE where two, 20-pound propane tanks became involved in the fire. The fire then spread to 619.

The crew from Engine 4 was on the second floor of 619 (exposure D). In the video shot from side C you can see the crew’s line in operation. Shortly after that the fire on the first floor takes off. By all accounts it was at about that time the “mayday” was called.

Update 8:00 a.m. In a press release, DC Fire & EMS reports the conditions of the 4 firefighters are basically the same. An 11:00 a.m. press conference is scheduled at the scene of the fire:

Sgt. Michael LaCore (age 37) – Remains in critical condition with further evaluation and surgery expected today.

Firefighter Charlie Shyab (age 30) – Remains in critical but stable condition with burn treatments expected today.

Firefighters Kenneth Humphries (age 23) and Douglas Donnelly (age 27) were listed in good condition and are expected to be discharged today.

From earlier:

“It’s a very sad day, two tremendous firefighters are in tough shape”. The words of DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin at a Monday evening press conference in front of Engine 4 on Sherman Avenue, NW. It was the crew from Engine 4 that was burned during the afternoon fire at 621 4th Street, NE.

Sgt. Michael Lacore is the most seriously injured. Sgt. Lacore is in critical condition and in a medically induced coma after suffering 2nd and 3rd degree burns over more than 30 percent of his body. Chief Rubin said it is still unclear whether Sgt. Lacore has any respiratory burns. Firefighter Charlie Shyab is in critical, but stable condition. Both men are being treated at the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit.

Firefighters Dennis Donnelly and Kenneth Humphries were being held overnight for observation at MEDSTAR and are expected to be released in the morning.

Chief Rubin said the fire started in the rear of a 3-story row house and was fueled by two, 20-gallon propane tanks. According to Rubin there was a BLEVE in one of the tanks and fire from the relief valve of the second tank.

The crew from Engine 4 was covering an exposure in an adjacent row house when they were apparently met by a large amount of fire. According to Chief Rubin, “It appears as though the fire came from the first floor traveled up to the staircase of the building that they were in, and caught them off guard”.

A “mayday” was called and the firefighters were out of the building a short time later. A second alarm was requested shortly after the “mayday” was received.

Earlier in the day, Chief Rubin said the fire burned the outer jacket of the hose line being used by the crew.

While DC engine companies normally operate with 4 firefighters, Engine 4 had an extra firefighter on the rig on Monday.

On October 21st, DC Fire & EMS began dispatching two battalion chiefs on all box-alarm assignments. It is part of a 90-day evaluation to see if it will help improve safety on the fireground.

Chief Rubin said the department will thoroughly investigate this fire to see if they need to “change our policy, training or procedures to make sure that this doesn’t happen in the future”.

Fire officials say the preliminary findings indicate the fire was accidental. The house where the fire started was under renovation and investigators are looking at the possibility that the fire began in oily rags stored in the rear porch area. Chief Rubin said the investigation will look at the permit process.