7 is on your side after learning about past issues at a southwest apartment that had a fire this week, which has left dozens of families homeless.
7News learned one woman has life-threatening injuries. Washington, D.C. reporter Phylicia Ashley dug into the property’s history and uncovered years’ worth of violations related to safety and health issues, as well as electrical violations from this year.
Sut still glazes the floor, and smoke can be smelled in the air at the Gardens Apartments on Galveston Street in Southwest D.C.
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“My mother was trapped inside for at least 10 to 15 minutes,” Keith Moore said, who has lived at the property for more than 20 years. “It was just really sad, really sad. No sprinklers went off, no fire alarms went off.”
Dionne McRory said her dogs alerted her to the fire.
“It’s just like he was barking and I’m like, what’s wrong with you,” McRory said. “Just to know what ever is taking place is beneath us. It’s like thank God we got out on time.”
On the Department of Buildings dashboard, 7News found that Wingates Properties LLC and CIH Properties INC. have more than 100 total violations for this year alone, including unsafe electrical wiring, equipment failures, and the failure to install approved carbon monoxide alarms and fire alarm safety equipment.
7News found McRory leaving the property with a cart filled with what she could fit from her home.
“Just come and get what you think you can get and figure out where else you can go,” McRory said.
While speaking with neighbors, 7News found Commissioner Salim Adofo talking to them about the importance of forming tenant associations to have advocates during tragedies.
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“Now they have to figure out if they’re family, is there another option for a hotel?” Adofo said. “Some people have been told they still need to pay rent, but if they can’t pay, they can’t pay their rent for a place they can’t live in.”
“I feel homeless,” McRory said. “Homeless, it’s like hey, you take what you really, really need your important paperwork work I need a blanket we’re in a hotel so some type of comfort.”
7News went with Keith Moore to his current hotel home and asked him what he and his family plan to do after their two paid days at the hotel are up.
“I’m not sure,” said Moore.
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency told 7News that 106 people have been displaced from the fire, which includes 69 adults, 37 kids, and 28 pets. On Oct. 25, Commissioner Keith Moore will be holding a volunteer drive to help give and collect care packages for the families here.
Volunteer Drive details are below:
Resurrection Baptist Church
3501 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20032
Saturday, October 25, 2025
12:00 PM (assembly-line style; expect 2–3 hours on your feet; seated/low-impact tasks available)
High school service hours available
Families & community groups welcome
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