Fire destroys part of Ecuador’s U.S. embassy

By Martin Weil

A two-alarm fire sent flames leaping from the roof and attic of the Embassy of Ecuador early Wednesday morning in the Columbia Heights area of Northwest Washington. At least three firefighters were injured in the blaze.

Fire burns Ecuador embassy in Washington, D.C.

The blaze was on top of the embassy at 15th and Euclid Streets NW, across from the northeast corner of Meridian Hill Park.

About 1 a.m., fire officials said efforts were still underway to extinguish pockets of flames inside the building.

The embassy is in a four-story tan brick building that reflects the Beaux-Arts tradition, and is topped by a steeply pitched roof in the mansard style.

The cause of the fire was not known immediately. Firefighters said they were combating the blaze from the building’s interior. However, they also went outside at the top level, and were challenged by the pitch of the roof, officials said.

Fire equipment filled the intersection; an aerial ladder was placed against the corner of the building where the fire seemed heaviest. Shorter ladders were brought to the top of the building and placed against the sloping roof, near dormer windows.

About 20 pieces of fire equipment were sent to the scene, and about 100 firefighters were on hand. A fire department spokesman described the work to quell the fire in the building as exhausting. A relief crew was sent to the scene early Wednesday morning to help with cleanup.
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Credit: The Washington Post