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Promising DC Fire Cadet Dies in Tragic Rooftop Fall
26 Aug
Summary
- 21-year-old fire cadet Sadia Williams fell to her death from a rooftop party
- Williams was celebrating her graduation from the DC Fire and EMS cadet program
- Eyewitness says the incident was "truly tragic"
On August 26th, 2025, the DC community was left in shock and sorrow following the tragic death of 21-year-old Sadia Williams, a recent graduate of the DC Fire and EMS cadet program. According to the reports, Williams and her classmates were celebrating their graduation on the rooftop of a four-story townhouse in Northeast DC when the incident occurred.
Around 1 AM on Saturday, Williams fell from the rooftop, which was surrounded by metal fencing, and died. While the police do not believe foul play was involved, the investigation into Williams's death is still ongoing. A neighbor who witnessed the shocking fall said she cannot get the image out of her head, describing the incident as "truly tragic" as Williams had a promising future ahead of her.
Williams had been assigned to Engine Company 13 in Southwest DC following her graduation, and the firehouse honored her memory by hanging black bunting on the bright red garage doors and flying the American and DC flags at half-mast. Her friends and colleagues remembered her as a determined and spirited individual who always gave her best, even when faced with challenges. The DC Fire and EMS Department expressed their profound sadness over the "tragic and unexpected loss" of this dedicated and rising professional.
