Huge blaze collapses big house in Northwest Washington, officials say

A blaze early Wednesday morning caused the collapse of much of a house under construction near Embassy Row in Northwest Washington. (D.C. Fire and EMS)

One of the most spectacular and destructive house fires in the District in years broke out early Wednesday morning in Northwest, sending up a column of flame and smoke that could be seen for miles.

No injuries were reported.

The blaze broke out in a three-story house being renovated on a cul-de-sac between Massachusetts and Connecticut Avenues NW, southeast of Washington National Cathedral, according to the D.C. fire department.

The blaze apparently caused the collapse of much of the house in the 2600 block of 31st Street NW, the fire department said.

Houses on either side were damaged, according to the department. One suffered moderate damage, the other minor damage, the department said.

The cause of the fire could not be learned immediately.

The house was about a half-mile east of the Naval Observatory site and the vice president’s residence. Massachusetts Avenue and parkland separate the sites.