District Resident Blames Pepco For House Fire

One District resident is blaming Pepco for severe fire damage to his home. He says the power company should have responded sooner to a downed electrical line was that was on fire.

Lou Constantino says he and his wife called Pepco to report a power line engulfed in flames Monday. They told the power company, the electrical line's casing was melting and setting off additional fires in bushes and on lawns in their neighborhood.

A Pepco representative said linemen would respond to the call in a few hours. Before workers could get to the scene, Constantino's home was severely damaged by a blaze, which took several firefighters to put out.

His family was displaced to a hotel.

Constantino says the house fire could have been avoided if Pepco would have been quicker and smarter in its response.

Pepco says it's investigating what "is clearly an unfortunate situation." A company spokesperson says Pepco will take responsibility if found liable.