Yesterday evening, Frager’s Hardware went up in flames in a four-alarm blaze. The iconic neighborhood institution has been in operation since 1920.

It’s the kind of neighborhood store many would love to have. At the same time, the store represents more than just a hardware store. While it can’t compete with the big box stores on price, it can offer a wider range of services and the local, personalized touch you won’t be able to find elsewhere. That kind of personal touch sells more than just hardware, it also sells t-shirts.

I happen to live nearby, and was able to snag a few photos from the roof.

6/5, 7:00 pm – full response underway:

6/5, 8:17 pm – more trucks and firefighters on the scene:

6/5, 10:59 pm – DCFD has the fire contained:

6/6, 8:34 am – daylight comes, the morning after:

6/6, 6:13 pm – traffic returns to Pennsylvania Ave, workers begin to board up the storefronts:

While the store appears to be a total loss, the owner vows to rebuild.