Fire in Washington D.C.: Rescues Underway Near Navy Yard

UPDATE: 6:03 p.m. EDT—The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed it was responding to the fire. Some 80 residents were displaced after rescues at the apartment home that housed senior citizens in Washington, D.C., WTOP reported.

Everyone was reportedly accounted for, and two people were taken for medical treatment.

"We aren't sure how the fire started at Arthur Capper Senior Building in Navy Yard," D.C> Councilmember Charles Allen said in a statement. "Firefighters needed to rescue a few residents via window from the higher floors. When our office got word, our staff started calling to alert residents inside the building. There's no doubt the alert and fast action of those neighbors and our D.C. Fire and EMS saved lives today."

UPDATE: 5:11 p.m. EDT—At least two people were transported to the hospital as firefighters worked to rescue residents amid a fire near the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, WTTG-TV reported. Their conditions were not immediately known.

The fire continued to burn and rescues were still underway.

Original story:

Firefighters were working to rescue residents after a fire broke out near the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon. Rescues were underway at a building in the 900 block of 5th Street SE, DC Fire and EMS said on Twitter.

It was unclear how the fire, which was a 2 alarm, began.

Videos from the scene showed firefighters helping people down a letter on the side of the building. The building was a five-story apartment, and DC Fire and EMS said the flames were on the top floor and attic. The building houses senior citizens. Authorities did not release the exact name of the building, though the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments lists its address as 900 5th Street SE.

"We are using large water streams to attack the fire in the roof and attic, without endangering residents of firefighters," DC Fire and EMS said.

One video on social media showed a group of Marins running toward the fire to help. It was unclear whether there were any injuries, or how many people were inside of the building at the time of the fire. More than 100 firefighters were working at the scene, NBC Washington reported.