Deadly Christmas Eve morning fire caused by chimney debris, fire officials say

WAHINGTON (7News) — A Christmas Eve morning fire in northwest D.C. claimed the life of one man, according to fire officials.

Burn marks could still be seen on the home, as of Tuesday afternoon.

7 News spoke with Kim and Ashley Hubbard who live next door.

“If we were asleep, it would have been us,” Kim said. “I honestly feel he was already gone. If the fire had spread, it would have been bad. If we were asleep, we probably wouldn’t be here because it was so much smoke, there was smoke coming out of every floor.”

D.C. Fire and EMS received reports of smoke and flames in the 1500 block of Ogden Street NW shortly before 1 a.m.

Crews arrived within three minutes to find flames coming from the residence's first floor and located the man inside, appearing to have been trying to extinguish the fire.

“It's just sad,” Kim said. “Sad for the kids, sad on Christmas Eve... Please get your smoke detectors checked out call 311 they will come.”

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During a press conference, officials said crews pulled him from the home and attempted life-saving measures, but he later died after being rushed to a trauma center with critical life-threatening injuries.

The Hubbards told 7News that their smoke detectors went off, however, they did not hear their neighbors.

“My granddaughter goes outside, and she sees in the back of our neighbor the smoke is just coming out in force out his basement,” Kim said. “We knew it was his house we said it his house it's his house.”

No other occupants were inside the home at the time of the incident.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental, caused by debris from a self-installed chimney that ignited on the floor.

“Christmas is hard enough. Trying to make it this Christmas was hard for us,” Kim said. “This puts it in perspective because we are blessed. Because we are here. Because it was close.”

The department tweeted this warning out: "Fireplaces are warm and wonderful, but pose a hazard if not properly used and maintained."

In response to the incident, the agency's fire prevention team will be canvassing the neighborhood to educate residents on fire safety.