Local Digest

THE DISTRICT

Man killed in fall down smokestack

A man in his 20s died early Saturday after apparently falling down a smokestack at the Connecticut House Apartments in Northwest Washington, authorities said.

Fire and emergency medical crews arrived at the apartment building in the 4500 block of Connecticut Avenue about 3:45 a.m.

Witnesses told rescuers that it appeared the man fell from the top of the smokestack on the roof of the nine-story building, said Pete Piringer, a D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman.

"Firefighters and rescuers were met by individuals who indicated there may have been several people or a small gathering on the roof," Piringer said, adding that the roof has a designated rooftop patio area.

The man was found at the bottom of the smokestack shaft on the building's B2 level, a fall that authorities estimated would have been 90 feet.

Rescuers were able to access the site and bring the man to floor level, where he was pronounced dead.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the man's fall and would not say whether alcohol was involved.

Police have identified the man but were withholding his name pending notification of his family.

-- Josh White