Explosion in DC

WMAL Radio News | WMAL radio

[L_Von_Mises]

Just heard on the radio that there was an explosion in DC near Wisconsin Avenue - one person hurt. Police spokesman had no information as to cause. Bomb squad at the scene. Site was a parking garage in Friendship Heights. No additional details.

[Centurion2000]

Operation Isolated Incident marches on.

[aristeides]

Sounds as if quite a stretch of Wisconsin Ave. has now been closed off. Likely to affect the Friday rush hour.

[Democratic_Machiavelli]

Interesting.

Thanks for the info.

[Doc-Joe]

I feel a little guilty saying this, but perhaps this will ease my trip to 495 this afternoon.

[Shermy]

Thanks for the link. The Few story seems to have developed from a resume issue to a criminal matter.

I'm wondering if the guy was on fire, that sounds like liquids involved. First thought - gasoline. But maybe this is work-related, and he screwed up with some cleaning or other chemicals?

[browardchad]

5225 Wisconsin is a smallish office building, six or seven stories. My dentist works there.

Is the building mainly medical/dental?

[cake_crumb]

"That said, I wish FReepers would have the same concern about us California FReepers when there's a report of an earthquake or some such thing on in our state"

Hey, we do! Those of us who's emotional maturity has progressed beyond pre-puberty, that is. We worry and show concern for our fellow FReepers endangered by flooding, by rampaging wildfires, or who have been diagnosed with terminal illness...don't judge all of us by a few mental midgets who are making purile jokes on this particular thread. Please.

[aristeides]

It seems to be a pattern in the D.C. government. Did you see this thread I put up earlier today, Bogus credentials no obstacle to promotion in D.C. (D.C. GENERAL COUNSEL LIED, EMBEZZLED $248,105) ?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

two-block stretch...

two-block radius...

Which is it? Two blocks or two-block radius which is considerably more area.

The fact that people are being evaculated at all implies something more than just a single car exploding.

In Israel, they don't evacuate the surrounding area after every car bomb unless they fear further explosions.

[Ligeia]

I just returned from Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. If you haven't heard anything yet, tune in to WMAL. Mark Weaver keeps breaking in on Rush and now Hannity with updates. One report said the explosion was near the Fox affiliate and Mazza Galleria. As I was leaving the office building I was in, a Montgomery County Chief of Police-type vehicle wailed by heading south in the direction of the scene.

[relee]

From WMAL

Fire spokeswoman: Explosion triggered fire

(Washington-AP) -- DC Fire says an explosion in a car triggered a fire that badly injured a man inside a Northwest garage this afternoon.

Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Bass also says the 21-year-old victim was badly burned.

A witness says he saw the victim burned from the waist down, lying on his stomach, at the bottom of the garage ramp. The man is in serious condition at Washington Hospital Center.

A two block radius around the garage -- in the 52-hundred block of Wisconsin Avenue -- has been evacuated. DC Police spokesman Joe Gentile says that's a precaution until the cause of the explosion is determined. The Mazza Galleries is among the buildings evacuated.

Wisconsin Avenue is closed from Harrison Street up to the Montgomery County line. The Jenifer Street Metrorail entrance to Friendship Heights station is closed, but the station remains open from other entrances.

[Dog Gone]

That said, I wish FReepers would have the same concern about us California FReepers when there's a report of an earthquake or some such thing on in our state.

You're asking for an awful lot of concern.

[aristeides]

If I understood a recent report on WMAL correctly, they've now closed Wisconsin Ave. as far as Garrison St. I wonder why they would extend the area? Hazmat crews on scene?

[cake_crumb]

Actually, the first thing I thought when reading it was a vehicle exploding was people have to be more careful about the cans of brake fluid and other chemicals they throw - and store - in their cars.

The second thing I thought - after reading it was a van - was mobile meth lab?

On the other hand, any idiot with a pro-Pali bent might be inspired to try throwing together a bomb.....and getting himself blown up.

[relee]

The headline on the WMAL web page says

Wisconsin Avenue is shut between Harrison Street and Western Avenue, while police, fire and ATF combs the area.

The latest story now adds

...A two block radius around the garage -- in the 52-hundred block of Wisconsin Avenue -- has been evacuated. DC Police spokesman Joe Gentile says that's a precaution until the cause of the explosion is determined. The Mazza Galleries is among the buildings evacuated.

Wisconsin Avenue is closed from Harrison Street up to the Montgomery County line. The Jenifer Street Metrorail entrance to Friendship Heights station is closed, but the station remains open from other entrances.

[relee]

The channel 4 news guy asked the DC police spokesman if the man was starting his car when it exploded, ie, car bomb. She said it was a police investigation and could not comment.

[aristeides]

Just heard again on WMAL: Wisconsin Ave. closed between Garrison St. and Western.

[andy_card]

Is the building mainly medical/dental?

Not exclusively, but largely.

[relee]

TV4

They have expanded the evacuation area; they are concerned about chemicals.

[Sacajaweau]

What else is nearby, within a block or so...housing, buildings??

Sac