WASHINGTON - The District is taking extra steps to make sure neighborhoods with low water pressure and other problems are safe in the event of a fire.

The new moves come after the summer fire that destroyed Peggy Copper Cafritz's Northwest D.C. home.

The July 29 fire that gutted Cooper Cafritz's mansion and destroyed her art collection was an accident, investigators have concluded.

And although the official cause is "undetermined," they have a strong suspicion. "Linseed oil-soaked paper towels that were left in a plastic trash bag in a northeast corner of the east porch and that could have been the point of origin," said D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles.

It's a case, perhaps, of spontaneous combustion. But broken hydrants and inadequate water pressure forced crews to go a mile out to get water -- wasting precious time.

Monday's report includes such actions as adding an engine with a large hose on calls to certain areas -- including Upper Northwest -- to make sure there's enough water, recommending WASA immediately flow test all hydrants in the city, and proposing that all homes have sprinkler systems.

Officials say simply replacing the city with bigger mains could cost billions of dollars and could pose a health hazard.

"If the main is too large, then the water that's in the main sits there rather than being used. And as it sits there, that's when contaminants can leech in," said George Hawkins, general manager of WASA.

They do say most fires are successfully fought -- including one last Saturday at the Hechinger house just down the road from Cafritz's home.

But the Cafritz fire unnerved many nearby, and despite reports and promises, resident Richard England is not convinced. "We all want to be protected against fire," he said. "No. I feel I'm not safe in the event of a big fire."

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