It could be argued (successfully) that I get too involved in squirreling this stuff out. Anyway, the building was razed because Metro construction damaged its foundation. The entire block is now pretty much the Marriott at 775 12th St NW. See this.

The old fire engine looks like a circa 1916 Seagrave. Determining an exact year is difficult as Seagrave built similar models to this from 1911 - 1920.

The shape of the hood, radiator, cover over the rear-wheel chain drive, and the six-sided star on the hubcaps are all Seagrave features.

Notice the horizontal spring under the front fender. The front bumper should be attached to the bar which connects the springs on both sides of the radiator.

The car in front of the Seagrave looks like a 1918 - 1921 Hudson.

It is common for fire departments to keep equipment twenty and thirty years or more. The older equipment is often placed in reserve and used to cover others out for repairs. The steamer in the background is turned around backward unlikely to be used, kept for parades or awaiting a surplus declaration. Also, sometimes big cities have really big fires and although some of the equipment is older it is still maintained which offers a cost effective fleet used at large emergencies. I suspect that newer equipment has been pulled out to make room for the photo and another apparatus lurks at the extreme left. In the center are floor drains or sumps for the sloped floor, not only to collect water but sometimes called pee troughs, leftover from the horse drawn days.

Even for 1922 and in a modern city like DC....isn't that fire apparatus a bit antiquated?
Looks more like a pic from 1902 than 1922.

That right front tire on the fire truck looks a little overdue for replacement. The tread is only a memory.