Massive Fire Engulfs $8.5M Mansion Near Obama Washington Residence

A massive fire engulfed a three-story English manor in the prestigious Kalorama neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C., just blocks from former President Barack Obama’s residence. The $8.575 million mansion, owned by U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan and undergoing renovations, experienced two fires: an initial electrical fire Monday night contained mostly to one floor, followed by a devastating two-alarm blaze Tuesday morning that consumed the entire house. Approximately 100 to 125 firefighters and around 20 to 30 emergency vehicles responded, evacuating nearby homes as a precaution. A firefighter fell into an elevator shaft during the operation but was rescued and hospitalized as a precaution, with no other injuries reported. Fire investigators continue to determine the cause of the second fire, while the community and officials appreciated the swift emergency response. The incident highlights the vulnerability of historic properties even in affluent neighborhoods.