Seniors displaced by DC fire meet with rescuers, community helpers

WASHINGTON — Residents displaced by fire from the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments in D.C. lunched on Thursday with members of the community who helped with evacuations, first responders and city agency staff helping with the problems that the fire has caused.

“I don’t feel that great,” displaced resident Hattie McLaurin said. “I lost everything I had, and I’m really upset about it.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomed those gathered for the baked chicken lunch at the Washington Convention Center, beginning with a sympathetic apology.

“Let me say how sorry I am that you have experienced this loss,” Bowser said.

“I’m sorry that those material things, that go along with all those decades (building memories), you may not have access to. But I’m so grateful that we have access to you and that is the most important thing,” she said to hoots and thunderous applause.

"He's a hero," Washington Informer photographer Roy Lewis said of U.S. Marine Corps Captain Trey Gregory, who ran into the burning Arthur Capper Senior Apartment building to help evacuate residents. (WTOP/Kristi King)
“He’s a hero,” Washington Informer photographer Roy Lewis said of U.S. Marine Corps Captain Trey Gregory, who ran into the burning Arthur Capper Senior Apartment building to help evacuate residents. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Barry Harrison, of Clark Construction, helped tear down a fence and build and widen a road for DC Fire equipment at the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments fire. "It was gratifying just to be able to help them," Harrison said. He met resident Robert Sparrow while working nearby. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Barry Harrison, of Clark Construction, helped tear down a fence and build and widen a road for DC Fire equipment at the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments fire. “It was gratifying just to be able to help them,” Harrison said. He met resident Robert Sparrow while working nearby. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Fire Chief Gregory Dean at the luncheon, with Hattie McLaurin, Darlene Hodges and Claudia Walker. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Fire Chief Gregory Dean at the luncheon, with Hattie McLaurin, Darlene Hodges and Claudia Walker. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Residents displaced by the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments fire have lunch with members of the community who helped with evacuations, first responders and city agency staff helping with current life issues. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Residents displaced by the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments fire have lunch with members of the community who helped with evacuations, first responders and city agency staff helping with current life issues. (WTOP/Kristi King)
(WTOP/Kristi King)
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"He's a hero," Washington Informer photographer Roy Lewis said of U.S. Marine Corps Captain Trey Gregory, who ran into the burning Arthur Capper Senior Apartment building to help evacuate residents. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Barry Harrison, of Clark Construction, helped tear down a fence and build and widen a road for DC Fire equipment at the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments fire. "It was gratifying just to be able to help them," Harrison said. He met resident Robert Sparrow while working nearby. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Fire Chief Gregory Dean at the luncheon, with Hattie McLaurin, Darlene Hodges and Claudia Walker. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Residents displaced by the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments fire have lunch with members of the community who helped with evacuations, first responders and city agency staff helping with current life issues. (WTOP/Kristi King)

No one was injured in the fire.

Bowser told the residents that case managers working with each of them would contact them soon to offer more permanent housing options. Many of the 160 displaced residents are being housed in hotels, courtesy of the city.

“They really bent over backward for us,” said Claudia Walker. She said residents are getting three meals a day, help with medicine and “any kind of cane or walker” they need. “I give (the District) an A-plus.”

As for questions about how the fire started, and why alarm bells didn’t sound, Fire Chief Gregory Dean said at a pre-luncheon meeting with reporters that equipment from the building that might offer clues still is being evaluated.

It’s still unclear whether the fire-damaged building can be salvaged.

Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

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