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Fire burns through SE DC building, displacing 15 people — and a turtle

By Acacia James

Fifteen people and a pet turtle are displaced after a fire in a Southeast D.C. home on Sunday evening. D.C. firefighters responded for a reported fire in an apartment building at 2100 15th St. SE around 8 p.m. Sunday. First responders battled heavy fire conditions on the first floor. Children were rescued by ladder from the building’s rear. There were no injuries. Volunteers with the capital region Red Cross assisted displaced residents. The turtle — named Jeff — was returned to its owner unharmed. Investigators are still working to determine what caused the fire.

ONLY ON WTOP: Children’s National ER employee cites staffing shortage for 10-hour waits

By Megan Cloherty
Children's National Medical Center, in D.C., is in the midst of a staffing shortage as COVID-19 continues to affect more unvaccinated children and winter viruses, such as RSV, arrive early this year. One employee told WTOP it's contributing to the longest emergency room wait times in recent memory. An emergency room employee at Children's National, who spoke anonymously to WTOP, fearing repercussions, expressed concern for patients who are waiting for care and employees who are working shifts without adequate staffing in a pandemic. The worker said emergency room wait times at Children's "routinely approach 10 hours," saying it happens two to three times a week.
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