SCOTT RUBENS
WUSA9
Reprinted with Permission

WASHINGTON, DC - About 100 DC Firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire Tuesday night at the Saint Elizabeth's hospital campus in Southeast DC.


It is the oldest federally funded psychiatric hospital in the country.

The hospital's most infamous resident was perhaps John Hinckley, Jr., the man who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

The Department of Homeland Security now owns the facility.

Investigators are looking into whether lightning may have caused the fire, which was reported about 9:45pm as thunderstorms moved through the area.

The report firefighters received had flames showing on or near the roof, according to Fire and EMS spokesman Pete Piringer. Crews got the fire under control shortly before 11pm.

One firefighter from Engine 32 was injured in the course of fighting the fire and was transported to the hospital. His injuries are not believed to be serious.