Flames and thick smoke gush from the retirement home in southeastern Washington.

WASHINGTON – Firefighters worked for hours to put out the fire in a building that houses seniors in the southeast of the CD after the first flames fell on Wednesday afternoon.

At least four people were sent to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and dozens of residents were displaced. Mayor Muriel Bowser of BC said it was possible to call 311 or 202-737-4404 for updates.

The fire has been controlled, but firefighters will remain on the scene at night to tamp down hot spots and ensure that the flames do not ignite.

Just before 10 pm, Bowser tweeted that for the next eight hours there will be a "fire watch".

Update: @dcfireems reports that the fire has been struck. A fire watch will be conducted during the next 8 hours. Fire appliances will remain on the premises.

– Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) September 20, 2018

At approximately 3:20 pm, a fire broke out for the first time at the roof of the 900 5th St. building in the south-east of the country, Fire Chief Milton Douglas told a conference Wednesday evening. When the fire crews reached the fourth floor, they were confronted with "significant fire conditions," he said.

Fire crews initially worked from the inside but were forced to leave the Arthur Capper Senior building and focus on the outside because of the deteriorating conditions. "The units had big problems trying to put out the fire because of the sheer volume," Douglas said.

There were also rescues via a ladder, and a Twitter video of D.C. Fire and EMS shows one of the rescues of a higher level.

The smoke from the fire could be seen from the Woodley Park neighborhood in northwestern Colorado.

The authorities stated that all residents of the seniors' residence were taken into account and that the residents had been sent to reception centers to receive them in the meantime. Residents are part of a low income housing program in British Columbia.

In a press conference after 11 pm, Bowser said the building had 162 units, with 161 units occupied. "We think everyone has left the building. The building management also contacted all tenants and all tenants were taken into account, "said Bowser.

D.C. Fire and EMS will return on Thursday to do another search of the building.

Chris Rodriguez, director of the National Security and Emergency Management Agency of D.C., said that about 87 residents were being cared for by the city and other agencies at the King Greenleaf Recreation Center.

"Our plan is to ensure that these residents are taken care of but also that they enter temporary housing as quickly as possible," Rodriguez said Thursday.

"We will continue to work with the public housing authority. These residents are considered residents of public housing, "said Bowser.

During the fire, resident A.V. Jones told WTOP that she lives on the second floor of the building and that she has never heard a fire alarm. "They did not leave. They did not leave, "she said. But she added that she had already heard fire alarms in the building.

Latoyia Martin, who works as a home-based caregiver in the building, said she had heard blows, but "no alarms went off. No smoke detectors. No sprinklers. And everything usually works. I can honestly say that they regularly test this stuff.

"I went to the door to see what it was. Everyone is running. They say, "The building is on fire!" I smell a burning rubber smell, "Martin said.

She and her 74-year-old grandmother, a resident, were preparing to eat when the fire broke out. They tried to get out of the building from the second floor, Martin pushing his grandmother in a wheelchair. But then, "the smoke started to surround us," said Martin, so they went back to their grandmother's house where Martin shouted for help from the window.

"The firefighters communicated with me; he told me to take him to the rear stairwell. It's the quickest way to get it out, "said Martin. She said the rear elevators were working and had not been closed. When Martin brought his grandmother to the front of the building, she said that the smoke was everywhere.

"I'm trying to get her out. I'm stuck in the lobby trying to get my grandma out of the lobby and we can not go out. I have to leave her there and get out of the building and get help for my grandmother, "Martin said. "We took so much smoke."

Joyce Mutcherson, who lives on the street and witnessed the fire from outside, saw the rescues on a ladder and said she had not heard a fire alarm.

"I saw the fire spread," said Mutcherson. "The roof collapsed here and it's here. It was really bad. Black smoke scented and the fire was very strong.

Asked about the lack of alarm, Bowser said earlier that she had also heard information, but she would not have to comment further that fire marshals had the opportunity to investigate once. the fire extinguished. She added that the building was privately owned and managed.

Fire Chief Gregory Dean said there will be a follow-up of the alarm system after the reports. "We will have our investigators once everything is stabilized," he said.

Asked about the sprinkler system, Dean said there were sprinklers in the units and corridors, but it is not known if there was a sprinkler system in the cockloft, where the fires would have occurred.

And questioned about the possible violation of the building's fire codes over the past year, Dean said, "This building was inspected a year ago and, to my knowledge, there were none. not.

Some rescues made by #DCsBravest with the help of neighbors, @DCPoliceDept and others during the early fire stages of 5th Street. A cry to the @USMC members who also participated in the evacuation. Semper Fi! pic.twitter.com/cgGtJj3buY

– DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 20, 2018

Previously, people could be seen running with wheelchairs to the building while rescue operations were in progress. D.C. Fire and EMS reported that neighbors, the police and a number of US marines assisted in relief operations. Firefighters from neighboring Maryland also helped fight the fire.

"All those hands and strong backs made the difference for the residents here," said Bowser.

"I am really proud of the quick action of our neighbors and the Marines to help protect their neighbors and save lives today," said Charles Allen, member of the Board of Directors.

In a statement earlier in the day, Allen said, "We are not sure how the fire erupted at the Senior Arthur Capper Building at Navy Yard."

"Firefighters had to save a few people through the window on the upper floors," he added.

Allen, who was on site following the fire alarms, said that when neighbors saw smoke, they ran into the building and started alerting senior residents by knocking on doors.

"When our office heard about it, our staff began calling to alert residents inside the building. There is no doubt that the alertness and swift action of these neighbors and our team of firefighters and firefighters has saved lives today, "said Mr. Allen.

The Red Cross was also on the scene to provide help.

Dick Uliano and Megan Cloherty of WTOP contributed to this report.

Like WTOP on Facebook and follow @WTOP on Twitter to discuss this article and others.

© 2018 WTOP. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located in the European Economic Area.