A woman whose senior housing facility caught fire Wednesday got a chance to reunite with the firefighter who saved her from the burning building.
The last time Bettye Carter saw Da'Von McRae she was four stories up and climbing out of a window at the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments.
D.C. fire officials say flames were raging in an attic overhead and heavy smoke made conditions in the hallway dangerous.
Photos from the scene show McRae helping Carter out of the window of her unit and onto a ladder. On Sunday, she got a chance to thank him for saving her.
Bettye Carter reunites with Firefighter Da’Von McRae, who safely guided her 4 stories down a portable ladder at the Capper Senior Housing complex fire. Firefighter McRae is the son of Lt. Kevin McRae, who lost his life in the line of duty May 6th, 2015. pic.twitter.com/BlbOhtm2Ix
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 23, 2018
Carter told McRae she would never forget him.
"You saved both of us because I was scared to death. I'll never, ever forget you," Carter said before handing McRae a card.
Bravery runs in McRae's blood; his father, Kevin McRae, was also a D.C. firefighter. Tragically, Kevin McRae was killed in the line of duty in May 2015.
Others also sprang into action to help the victims of the fire Wednesday.
About 100 U.S. Marines ran toward the building and carried seniors out of their apartments after spotting the smoke, D.C. Fire Chief Gregory Dean said. Marines and others could be seen rushing toward the four-story building pushing stretchers and wheelchairs.
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Ten seniors were taken to hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries after the heavy fire broke out about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
D.C. fire chief Gregory Dean told News4 that he has heard multiple reports that wall-mounted fire alarms did not work when pulled.
"No one heard any horns. That's the early notification. That's really what was missing on this building," he said.
