An Examination and Analysis of the Dynamics of the Human Behavior in the Fire Incident at the Taylor House on April 11, 1979

摘要

This fire incident originated on a sofa in the first floor lounge of the duplex unit at 1715 Lamont Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. on April 11, 1979. The duplex dwelling at 1715-17 Lamont Street, was known as the Taylor House and operated as a Community Residence Facility for fifty-one psychiatric residents on an out-patient status from St. Elizabeth's Hospital. At the time of the fire incident, there were a total of 26 residents in the 1717 duplex unit which received only light smoke damage. There were a total of 21 residents in the 1715 duplex unit, with two staff members at the time of the fire incident. The fire department personnel evacuated and rescued 7 residents from the building. There were a total of ten resident fatalities, and five residents suffered injuries requiring hospital treatment.