Some DC streets closed after hardware store fire
Some DC streets closed after Capitol Hill hardware store fire, crews look for hot spots
Smoke from a nearby hardware store fire rises behind Nationals Park before a baseball game between the Washington Nationals the New York Mets, Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some streets remain partially closed in southeast Washington hours after more than 200 firefighters contained a 4-alarm fire that spread from a Capitol Hill hardware store to three other buildings.
When crews arrived at Frager's Hardware about 11 blocks southeast of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday evening, they found flames bursting through the roof.
The fire burned for hours and sent dark smoke drifting over the Capitol dome and Nationals Park. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
John Weintraub, one of the owners, says the fire started in a lumber area of the store. Crews are looking for hot spots Thursday morning and the cause is under investigation.
Transportation officials say eastbound Pennsylvania Avenue is closed between 10th and 12th streets and northbound 11th street is closed at G Street.
