There were no smoke detectors inside the home of a 96-year-old woman who died in a fire in D.C.’s Bloomingdale neighborhood. News4’s Darcy Spencer reports.
No working smoke detectors were found inside a Northwest Washington home Tuesday night after a fire swept through the home's first floor, claiming the life of a 96-year-old woman.
Firefighters were called to the 1800 block of N. Capitol Street NW Tuesday night. Inside, they found Annie Maiden suffering from critical injuries.
Maiden was rescued from the home, but she died from her injuries a short time later.
One neighbor News4 spoke with remembered talking to Maiden on her front porch just a few weeks earlier.
"She was very lucid, she was very together, she was very with it ... Just the sweetest lady that you could find," he said.
Fire officials are still working to determine the cause of the fire, but they say they found no working smoke detectors inside the home.
Officials say the tragic fire is a reminder of the importance of smoke detectors. Residents in D.C. can call 202-673-3331 to have a free smoke detector installed.
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Deputy Fire Chief Tony Falwell said residents should also look out for their neighbors who might not have smoke alarms.
"If you notice a problem, especially in this case no smoke alarms in the home, make a call. Advocate for that resident and make a call on their behalf so the fire department or other city services may come out and assist with what they may need," Falwell said.
