Left by a fire in Washington (3)
I believe the answer is:
ash
'left by a fire' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'in washington' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'ASH' is hidden in the letters of 'washington'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ash that I've seen before include "Tree with pale wood" , "In fireplace it may be" , "Rowan tree is also called the mountain . . ." , "Burnt remains; tree" , "Dusty residue of a fire" .)