At 1647 hours a box alarm was sounded for 4222 47th St. N.W.  Engine 21 and WS 55 responded on the box as the water supply company.  First arriving units went on the scene with heavy fire showing.  Engine 21 arrived and was told to lay a line to side alpha and stretch a line to the second floor.  Due to the conditions command order all units out of the building for a short period to regroup.  The crew reentered the house and assisted in extinguishing the fire.  The engine remained on the scene for about three hours.