Watergate Fire on 13th Floor Causes Smoke Damage to Historic Hotel

The historic Watergate complex was damaged in a fire Wednesday afternoon. (Screengrab)

By    |   Thursday, 12 January 2017 10:14 AM EST ET

The Watergate complex suffered a fire on the 13th floor Wednesday afternoon, in what appeared to be a vacant apartment in the historic building.

D.C. Fire officials said the blaze was put out quickly with several floors sustaining some smoke damage, WRC-TV reported. No one was injured in the blaze.

D.C. Fire posted an update on the fire on social media.

The Watergate complex is best known as the home of the Democratic National Committee in 1972 when it was burglarized by prowlers attempting to wiretap phones and steal secret committee documents, History.com noted.

The incident led to the discovery of a cover-up, eventually leading to the resignation of Richard Nixon as president. The building's name has become synonymous of political scandals.

The building itself, located in the 700 block of New Hampshire Avenue NW, is now made up of a residential tower in the five-building complex, which includes office buildings and a hotel, The Washington Post noted.

Others shared their photos, videos, and opinions about the fire on Twitter.

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TheWire
The Watergate complex suffered a fire on the 13th floor Wednesday afternoon, in what appeared to be a vacant apartment in the historic building.
watergate, fire, smoke, hotel
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2017-14-12
Thursday, 12 January 2017 10:14 AM
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