A devastating fire in Drexel Hill's Llanerch Place Apartments claimed the life of a veteran firefighter and left seven others injured amidst a blaze that caused significant damage and displacement within the community over the past weekend.
Anthony "Tony" Rowley, an esteemed member of the Lansdowne Fire Company with over three decades under his belt, tragically succumbed to the flames of the fire that erupted last Saturday, as reported by FOX29. Rowley, despite having been inactive due to medical conditions in the year leading up to the event, was remembered for his extensive service to the community, and his untimely death during the incident has resonated as a profound loss among those who knew him, and the populace at large.
According to the details obtained from NBC10, intense smoke thwarted the efforts of residents, including Rowley, to escape the building. One resident, Raymond Erwin, recounted the harrowing experience of navigating through the smoke with his girlfriend, their dog, and a few neighbors, describing moments of panic before firefighters intervened. The fire, which began on the second floor of the apartment complex, also injured Rowley's wife, Ann, who remains hospitalized.
Michael Boyce, president of the Lansdowne Fire Company, reflected on the impact of Rowley’s death, noting that Tony had been a member since 1988 and was deeply involved in the EMS and emergency services community. In a statement to 6abc, Boyce expressed the profound sorrow felt throughout various emergency departments, acknowledging Tony's commitment as a paramedic, an EMT instructor, and a member of the Civil Air Patrol.
Crews managed to rescue Rowley and his wife, though they were initially unaware that one of their own was among the victims they were transporting to safety. The blaze resulted in approximately 75 residents being displaced right before the holidays, casting a somber tone on what is typically a festive time of year. As the community begins to accommodate those affected, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no funeral arrangements for Rowley have been disclosed yet.
