Eighteen people are homeless today after a fire erupted in a northwest rowhouse early this morning

Around 5 a.m. DC Firefighters were called to the unit block of Rhode Island Ave NW for a reported house fire with people trapped, when firefighters arrived on the scene they reported heavy fire showing from the roof area of a two-story rowhouse

With heavy fire condition showing and the possibility of the fire extending into adjacent rowhouses a second alarm was transmitted bringing over 75 more firefighters to help battle the fire.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within 15 minutes with no injuries reported. and the cause of the two alarm fire is under investigation. .

Two adjacent rowhouses where also damaged as result of the fire.