Massive fire engulfs Navy Secretary’s Kalorama mansion in DC near Obama residence

Blaze burns Kalorama mansion near Obama's DC residence

The blaze erupted just hours after firefighters responded to the same residence Monday night for an earlier fire. The mansion backs up to the residence of former President Barack Obama. Homeowners told FOX 5 the property is currently undergoing renovations.

WASHINGTON - A two-alarm fire tore through the three-story mansion of Secretary of the Navy John Phelan and his wife on Kalorama Road in northwest Washington early Tuesday, prompting evacuations of neighboring homes, officials said.

Massive fire engulfs Kalorama mansion in DC

A two-alarm fire tore through a three-story mansion on the 2400 block of Kalorama Road in northwest Washington early Tuesday, prompting evacuations of neighboring homes. The blaze erupted just hours after firefighters responded to the same residence Monday night for an earlier fire.

Fire erupts in Kalorama

What we know:

The blaze erupted just hours after firefighters responded to the same residence Monday night for an earlier fire.

The mansion is near the residence of former President Barack Obama. The property is currently undergoing renovations.

"Fortunately, the family was not in the home at the time and everyone is safe.," said spokesman for the Secretary of the Navy, Capt. Adam Clampitt. "The Secretary and his wife would like to thank the DC Fire Department and the Metropolitan Police Department for their rapid response, as well as their neighbors for their outpouring of support and well wishes."

Monday’s fire, reported around 9:30 p.m., was contained to the first floor and was determined to be caused by an electrical issue, according to D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly.

Evacuations near Obama residence

Tuesday’s fire was reported around 6 a.m. and spread rapidly, engulfing the entire structure and forcing firefighters to evacuate. Donnelly said that during the response, a firefighter fell into an elevator shaft but was quickly pulled to safety by other firefighters. That firefighter was hospitalized as a precaution.

Massive fire engulfs Kalorama mansion, nearby homes evacuated (DC Fire and EMS Department)

A total of 125 personnel and 30 units were dispatched to battle the flames. Officials have not yet determined the cause of the second fire.

Residents in adjacent homes were evacuated as a precautionary measure. No other injuries have been reported.

Firefighters will remain on the scene, with local road closures expected to remain in effect through the afternoon.