Former firehouse engulfed in flames on North Capitol Street

A portion of a former firehouse collapsed Friday evening after the building in Northwest D.C. became engulfed in flames.

The fire in the 1600 block of North Capitol Street was fed by an uncontrolled gas line, D.C. Fire and EMS said, making it difficult to contain.

Firefighters finally got the fire under control just before 4 a.m., D.C. Fire and EMS said.

Several homes in the area were evacuated, D.C. Fire said. The fire spread through the four-story building under construction next door.

However, no one was injured and no one was displaced by the time the fire was contained early Saturday morning.

One firefighter declared mayday and was rescued by another firefighter. All firefighters are accounted for.

Firefighters were ordered to evacuate the building and were only battling the fire from the outside.

Several roads are closed:

• North Capitol Street NW between Florida Avenue and R Street
• R Street NW between Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street
• Quincy Place NW between Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street
• Lincoln Road NE between Quincy and Randolph places

D.C. Fire and EMS received reports of the fire about 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The firehouse was under renovation and not currently occupied.

The fire department vacated the building in 1987, according to the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. The Salvation Army rented the building for several years, then it became a restaurant that has since closed.

Stay with News4 for more on this developing story.