Fire on Barracks Row

Fire on Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

Posted: June 11, 2026

Photo from 8th and G Streets, SE, shows a ladder over Call Your Mother providing access to the roofs of the buildings on fire a few doors south. Photo: Bob Gellman

Thursday evening, DC Fire and EMS reported on X that they were fighting a fire which had broken out on the 700 block of Barracks Row. It was described as “Fire on secondfloor of mixed use structure with extension to adjacent buildings.” The Fire Department said that no injuries had been reported as they began attempts to control the fire, though WJLA reported later that one firefighter received non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital.

The blog Barred DC reported on X that the burning building was The Ugly Mug. Another poster sait it was a liquor store – presumeably the adjacent Cask & Barrel Wine & Spirit.

CM Charles Allen said later on X, “I am just leaving gthe scene on Barracks Row & tonight’s massive fire. I’ve spoken with several of the businesses. Everyone is accounted for but (there was) extreme damage to multiple buildings….

Later, Assistant Fire Chief Kishia Clemenci held a press availability and said that the fire had originated in 723 8th Street, SE, (the address of The Ugly Mug). The fire was reported at 8:07pm and reponders were on the scene at 8:09pm. Sixteen units and 100 firefighters participated. Cause of the fire has not yet been determined but it was not weather related, according to Clemenci.

The Ugly Mug closed in October of 2025. Brian Ready, Executive Director of Barracks Row Main Street, has said recently that the building had been sold and the new owners were planning on opening a restaurant.

Here are some additional phtotos taken by Bob Gellman.

Closer to the fire, in front of Lola’s looking south. Photo: Bob Gellman.

Some of the 16 EMS and Fire Engines responding to the fire. Photo Bob Gellman.

Photo just south of Miel Wellness looking at ladders in front of buildings adjacent to The Ugly Mug. One can see the open doors of the liquor store under the ladders. Photo: Bob Gellman. (See diagram below.)

According to DC Fire Department, the fire started in 723 & 7231/2 8th Street – the former Ugly Mug.