DISTRICT BRIEFING

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Man Trying Out for Recruit Class Dies After Agility Test Difficulties

A 23-year-old man trying out for the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department died yesterday, a day after having trouble during agility training.

Eric Allen of Temple Hills had difficulty breathing Sunday morning while taking physical tests to determine his admission to a recruit class, authorities said. Doctors examined him after a stair-climbing exercise and noticed his blood pressure was elevated, authorities said. Allen was taken to an area hospital, where his condition quickly deteriorated.

The fire department did not know of any physical condition that would have prevented Allen from training, spokesman Alan Etter said. Authorities are investigating, and the D.C. medical examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of his death.

"Our most sincere condolences go to his family," Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin said.

-- Allison Klein

NORTHWEST

Hearing Scheduled for Tomorrow On City Effort to Close Video Store

D.C. Superior Court Judge Susan R. Winfield has set a hearing for tomorrow on a bid by the city to shut down a video store in Mount Vernon Square that has generated neighborhood complaints.

D.C. Attorney General Linda Singer is seeking to close Fun Fair Video-Movie, which the city says has been operating illegally as an adult entertainment shop. The store, in the 900 block of Fifth Street NW, does not have a certificate of occupancy to operate in that manner, according to Singer's office.

The city has been battling Fun Fair for more than a decade, and residents recently picketed the business.