There were eye-witness reports right here on Free Republic of fires and smoke in various locations around D.C. There were also reports of smaller explosions, one I remember in the Foggy Bottom area. The same is true for NYC. Ask some of the residents of New Jersey who could clearly see them.
My own take is that the small fires in DC were being used to direct the planes to the White House which is very hard to see from the air.
I have a friend who husband works in DC. There were several cars in DC that were on fire during 9/11...never made it to the local news...
Oh, BTW, the car fires/explosions were near the White House.
What about the airlplane that crashed into the NJ neighborhood?