Affordable-Housing Facility Destroyed by Early Morning Fire
An affordable-housing facility owned and operated by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington was destroyed by an early morning fire today.
No injuries were reported and emergency housing has been secured for all displaced residents.
McKenna House is located at 1501 Park Road, NW in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, and is home to 22 working men who rent single-occupancy rooms. The building's basement is used as a support program for homeless people during the day, and at night is a shelter for 15 homeless women. McKenna House was opened in 1984.
The fire reportedly started around 3:30 a.m. All staff and residents were able to evacuate the building quickly and safely. The building sustained serious fire and water damage and is uninhabitable.
Catholic Charities is conducting an internal investigation, and is working with the D.C. Department of Fire/EMS and the D.C. Fire Inspector to determine the cause of the fire.