Chaos erupted in Center City late Tuesday night as flames engulfed an apartment on the second floor of the Adelphia House, leading to an urgent evacuation of the building. Located on the 1200 block of Chestnut Street, the incident saw smoke billowing into the night, as reported by 6ABC.

Trapped on the smoke-laden staircases, residents sought refuge where they could, with some making their way to the roof, waiting desperately for rescue by fire crews, as described by FOX 29 News.

According to firefighters, the blaze began in a fourth-floor apartment, firing up confusion as residents were evacuated. One unfortunate soul, overtaken by the smoky tendrils, was hospitalized for smoke inhalation and remained in serious but stable condition, as per 6ABC. The sight of black smoke was met with neighbors lending hands to one another, embodying a makeshift brotherhood wrought by crisis. 

Not all paths to safety were clear. Daniel Ramos, a 15th-floor resident, narrated his harrowing descent, telling FOX 29 News, "As soon as I was going down the stairs, I smelled the smoke, it hit me with the realization that this was a real situation," Daniel said. "I had to get out of there as quickly as possible." 

Crews took about an hour and a half to get the fire under control, and while the cause is still under investigation, the Red Cross is on-site assisting, 6ABC noted.