Sprinklers Could Have Controlled Fire

WASHINGTON - A sprinkler system with just one sprinkler head could have controlled the fire that caused tens of millions of dollars in damage at the historic Eastern Market, D.C. Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin says.

Members of a community advisory committee recommended sprinklers for the landmark building three years ago.

City Administrator Dan Tangherlini says the District decided to wait and include new wiring and sprinklers in an overall restoration of Eastern Market that was set to begin this summer.

City officials Tuesday said they hoped to reopen the Capitol Hill landmark within 18 to 24 months.

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has vowed to restore the market built in 1873 by prominent architect Adolph Cluss, says vendor rents for tenants displaced by the three-alarm fire will be temporarily suspended. The city has also decided not to collect last quarter's sales taxes from vendors. Fourteen small businesses were destroyed.

Vendors offering products that can be sold outside could be back in operation by this weekend.

The fire that caused more than $20 million worth of damage at Eastern Market's South Hall appears to be accidental. Rubin says he's "95 percent" sure the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical fire.

Authorities initially said that the fire started in a dumpster and spread to the building, but now say the fire spread from the building to the dumpster. About 160 firefighters battled the early morning fire for two hours. No one was hurt in the blaze.

"We'll get this restored," Fenty said Monday. "We'll bring it back 100 percent. How could we not? It's too much history to let it get burned away."

Prior to the fire, the city had already set aside $5 million for some upgrades at Eastern Market. The plans do include sprinklers.

Vendors, some of whom have been in business at Eastern Market for generations, say they're devastated by the loss. While some of the vendors have insurance, for others, it's a total loss.

The Capitol Hill Community Foundation has set up a fund to support Eastern Market's merchants and employees. The community can donate with 100 percent of the donations going back to the community. The Capitol Hill Restoration Society is kicking off this fund by donating $10,000.

Meanwhile, Eastern Market's flea market will go on.

"We will be open this Sunday and every Sunday," says Tom Rall, manager of the flea market, in a release on Market's Web site.

And, Market Day, the annual street festival and fundraiser for Friendship House, will occur Sunday, May 6.

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