On August 18, the Van Ness South Tenants Association filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the D.C. government seeking records concerning the August 16 fire in the West Building at 3003 Van Ness.
The request seeks the fire incident report and records concerning the origin and cause of the fire, including whether investigators considered accidental, suspicious, incendiary/arson, or fireworks-related causes. It also seeks records from the Fire Investigations Branch or Office of the Fire Marshal.
VNSTA additionally requested records concerning the operation of the West Building fire alarm, which reportedly shut off after approximately ten minutes; any fire-code or life-safety problems involving the alarm, sprinkler, ventilation, or fire-separation systems; and the evacuation of residents, including assistance provided to residents who needed help leaving or returning to their apartments.
