Fire Survivor Tells of Terror During Homicide Trial

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The jury in DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman’s courtroom heard a survivor testify about her ordeal escaping a deadly building fire that killed two individuals, during a hearing on Feb. 13.

James Walker, 66, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter for his alleged involvement in a fire that caused the deaths of 40-year-old Fitsum Kebede and nine-year-old Yafet Solomen at the 700 block of Kennedy Street, NW, on Aug 18, 2019. Kebede succumbed to his injuries on the same day, while Solomen on Aug. 20, 2019.

The witness, speaking with the aid of a translator identified Walker as the man who rented her the apartment in a house that was subject to numerous fire code violations.

The witness began sobbing remembering the deaths from the fire claiming that when Walker arrived at the scene, he asked, “Who burned my house?” and showed no remorse or concern for the safety of his tenants.

Inhaling smoke from the fire, the witness struggled to breathe and began to panic feeling trapped. Additionally, she didn’t hear any alarms indicating there was a fire.

Another witness, who worked for the DC Fire Department as a battalion chief at the time, stated that it took over 15 minutes to find the victims because of the choas. He claimed that the victims would have been found within a minute if it weren’t for the bolted doors and gates hindering access to the building.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 18.