Low water flow affected fire response at D.C. mansion
Published: August 7, 2009
WASHINGTON — A city report says inadequate water flow from fire hydrants hindered the effort to stop a destructive blaze at the mansion of a civic leader and arts patron.
D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty released the preliminary report on Friday. The July 29 fire destroyed the home of former D.C. Board of Education president Peggy Cooper Cafritz on Chain Bridge Road.
The report says hydrants there are attached to a 75-year-old, cast-iron water main, which is not uncommon. But tests show the hydrants’ flow was far less than needed to fight the fire.
The report also says road design and the hilly area created water flow problems with other hydrants.
Although low water flow affected the time required to put out the fire, the report says it’s debatable how much of the house could have been saved had water flow been greater.
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Nope, there are no guarantees in fire protection. The only thing the low flow will do is create a higher premium for residents in that area. It will affect the fire depts rating from the insurance companies and that is all.
I expect DC will soon be handing out a ginormous check to the insurance company that covered Mrs. Cafritz’s home. This is a clear case of malfeasance.
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