Displaced residents return to pick up their belongings after large apartment fire in Southeast DC

WASHINGTON — Residents displaced by the large fire at the Oxford Manor Apartments in Southeast returned to their homes on Wednesday to pick up what is left of their belongings. 

Ginetta Bynum said she only wanted to recover the irreplaceable. 

"My son's ashes because it's his memory since he passed away. I wanted to get those. To be able to go in there for that time, that was first," she told WUSA9.

It has been one year since Bynum's son David Blakeney, 23, died while serving time at the United States Penitentiary Canaan in Pennsylvania. 

Bynum showed WUSA9 the brand new furniture she had purchased for her apartment that is among the 30 units that have been deemed uninhabitable. Now all of her belongings – wet in garbage bags in the back of her car. 

"I think I am still numb. I haven't cried yet. It hasn't hit me. But I will say it's all stuff. I am grateful to be alive," Bynum said.

Perhaps a total loss in material things, but Bynum said she has all she needs to start her life up again. 

"I can't get my son back. I can get material stuff back, that can be bought," she added. 

Twenty-four hours after the fire broke out around 1:40 p.m. Tuesday at the apartments on the 2600 block of Bowen Road Southeast, DC Fire officials ruled the incident accidental. DC Fire and EMS said two kids playing with roman candles ignited a second-floor balcony.

"Flames from the roman candle which shot onto the balcony quickly spread upwards into the attic and roof and engulfed a similar adjacent attached building," DC Fire and EMS said in a statement.

More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene that left 76 residents displaced after 30 units were deemed uninhabitable. 

An older adult and a firefighter were taken to the hospital due to injuries, but both are expected to recover. 

“We all enjoy fireworks, but many of us do not realize how dangerous they can be,” said Fire Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. “This is a terrible tragedy for the residents whose lives have been disrupted because someone else was not safe with fireworks. Please be safe with fireworks. Only legal fireworks outside and away from people and buildings.”

Fireworks that fly, explode, or shoot are illegal in the District. 

Any person found using or selling illegal fireworks in D.C. faces fines of $2,000 or more. The person could also face a possible arrest and criminal prosecution. More information about legal and illegal fireworks can be found at  July 4th Fireworks Safety Tips | fems (dc.gov).