BREAKING: At Least 13 People Killed Including Children In Philadelphia Row House Fire
According to local reports, at least 13 people were killed when a fire tore through a three-story building in Philadelphia this Wednesday.
Firefighters responded to a call about 6:30 a.m. to the building on North 23rd Street in the Fairmount neighborhood, where they found heavy flames coming from the second floor.
“It was terrible, most of, I’ve been around for 35 years now and this is probably one of the worst firsts I’ve ever been to,” Philadelphia Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy said during a press conference. At least 13 people, including 7 children, were found dead, CBS News reports. Commissioner Craig Murphy says this number is “dynamic because there is still an ongoing recovery effort.” At least eight people were able to evacuate themselves from the building and two additional people were transported to CHOP and Temple University Hospital. Firefighters were able to get the fire under control by 7:31 a.m.
“We are working with the Fire Marshals Office, we plan and intend on getting a cause for the fire, making sure this tremendous loss of life didn’t happen in vain,” Murphy said.
However, it was noted that the home which is owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, had four smoke detectors added in 2019 and during a 2020 inspection. They added two additional ones which would make a total of six smoke detectors in the building — none of which operated during the fire, Murphy said citing PHA inspections.
Murphy also noted that the fire is not considered suspicious at this time, but the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Fire Marshals Office is leading the investigation due to the loss of life.
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