HVFD Online Pics - DC Firefighter LOD
Washington DC Firefighter LOD Death
Link to HVFD's Sgt. Carter Memorial Page
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Engines 22 (right) and 12 (left) are shown on the corners of the building as the fire consumes all three floors and goes through the roof. This photo ran on the AP Wire Service
- Four firefighters console each other (32k)
This photo appeared on the front page of the Washington Times, showing four District firefighters helping each other cope with the loss of their fellow firefighter.
- Well Involved (32k)
The fire burns through from the basement through the roof.
- Engine 12's Squirt Operates (20k)
Firefighters watch as the telesquirt from Engine 12 goes to work through a second floor window.
- On the Ladder/Ladder Pipe (22k)
A firefighter surrounded by smoke prepares to position the second ladder pipe from a DC ladder truck into a second floor window.
- Firefighters Being Treated by EMS (23k)
Several firefighters were treated on the scene for exhaustion and smoke inhalation. A few were taken to local hospitals and released.
- Smoke Coming from the Building (18k)
Another shot of the heavy smoke coming from the building during the early part of the operation as firefighters were still trying to gain better access to the inside.
- Firefighters Take A Break (35k)
Three District firefighters are shown taking a break from the operation.
- Fire Thru Roof/Squirt (38k)
The squirt from Engine 12 is shown as fire broke through the roof about an hour into the incident.
- Wall of firefighters (24k)
Firefighters made a wall from the building to an awaiting ambulance. A firefighter carries Sgt Carter's bottle away from the building.
- Heavy Smoke Showing/Early Into Incident (37k)
Early on in the incident as the second alarm units were just arriving heavy smoke can be seen coming from all of the first floor. The fire was initially believed to have started in the basement and quickly extended to the first floor and eventually through the roof. Crews had major access problems due to security doors and bars on windows.
- Inside the Front Window/Overhaul (33k)
A firefighter extinguishes a bit of remaining fire just inside the store front window during overhaul operations.
- Extinguishing from Ladder on 2nd Floor (24k)
A firefighter from Engine 17 knocks down the fire on the second floor through a window.
- Fire Through the Roof #2 (22k)
Fire is visible from the roof of the building.
- Fire Through the Roof #3 (same angle as #2) (24k)
A similar shot showing additional fire coming through the roof.
- Squad 1 Firefighter (24k)
A firefighter from Rescue Squad 1 walks away from the building.
- General Scene Shot After Knock Down (24k)
An overview from the rear of the building after the fire had been somewhat under control.
- Group Waiting for Word (34k)
A group of 25+ firefighters huddles around the DCFD command unit awaiting word on the condition of Sgt. Carter a few minutes after his body was rushed from the scene by a medic unit.
- Heavy Smoke Showing #2 (33k)
Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles around. This photo was taken before the fire broke through the roof.
- Overhaul from the Outside (38k)
Firefighters from DC and Silver Spring in Montgomery County break through the store front window.
- Fire from the Storefront (39k)
Fire showing in the interior first floor and from the top of the store front window.
- Smoke Covers the Street (24k)
The smoke from the blaze at times covered a four-block area. The angle is looking towards the scene of the fire. The fire building is directly to the left of the second ambulance.
- The Aftermath (37k)
A picture of the building after the fire had been declared under control.
- Consoling (40k)
A group of firefighters console each other in front of the building.
IMPORTANT NOTE: These photos are Copyright 1997 by Dave J. Iannone/CoolWriter Publications Inc. They cannot be used on the internet, print or elsewhere without written permission. This is NOT negotiable.
Please E-Mail for clarification or information on using pictures in publication.
THE INCIDENT
Area firefighters are mourning the loss of Washington D.C. Fire/EMS Department Sgt. John M. Carter, a 15-year-veteran of the department who was promoted just last month, who was killed in the line of duty at a 3-alarm grocery store fire in Northwest Washington Friday morning.
Carter, 38, lost his two crew members as they evacuated the building when the smoke and flames become too intense. His body was found in the basement of the building about 90 minutes later. He is a native of the area. Carter's family lives in Montgomery County, Maryland and his brother and brother-in-law are also District firefighters.
Carter had strong ties to the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department in Montgomery County, Maryland where he was a volunteer firefighter before being hired by the DCFD. He joined the Kensington department when he was 19-years-old in 1978. His brother James is also a volunteer at Kensington as well as a District firefighter. Jeffrey Deitz, Carter's brother-in-law, is also a firefighter in Washington.
In the District, Carter was a first battalion relief officer detailed to Engine 14 in the 4800 block of North Capitol Street at the time of his tragic death.
He leaves behind a wife, Debbie, and a 7-year-old son, Brian. His father, Roy Carter, Sr., is a former fire chief in Montgomery. Funeral arrangements are still pending.
The death was the first for a firefighter in the District since December of 1984 when Firefighter John Williams was killed when battling a blaze in a commercial structure.
An engine and truck were dispatched to the area of Kennedy Street and 6th NW for reported smoke in the area at 0622 hours. Additional 911 calls for heavy smoke in the area resulted in the full box alarm being dispatched. Units arrived with heavy fire and smoke showing with fire on the first and second floors. There was considerable difficulty in accessing the building due to heavy metal doors and bars for security. Two task forces and an additional box alarm were called for initially, then more units from both PG and Montgomery counties to assist. The fire eventually went through the roof of the three-story brick building at 400 Kennedy Street, NW.
The fire took more than three hours to bring completely under control and remains under investigation by DC fire investigators, ATF agents and DC homicide. Several firefighters were taken to area hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation and exhaustion.
At the peak of the incident more than 140 firefighters were on the scene. The cave-in unit from Montgomery County, Maryland was called in to assist in stabilizing the building during overhaul and investigative operations.
Funeral details will be posted on this site as soon a possible. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the unofficial DCFD Web Site
FRW-01/DCFD/MCDFRS
