A West Philadelphia apartment building in the heart of Powelton was left heavily damaged Sunday after a fire ripped through the structure, drawing a large emergency response and shutting down nearby streets. Fire crews stayed on scene into the afternoon as neighbors gathered behind police tape to watch the effort to bring the blaze under control.
Scene and response
According to NBC10 Philadelphia, firefighters were called out around 2:30 p.m. to the intersection of North 41st Street and Powelton Avenue, where they were seen hosing water into the charred interior of the apartment building. As of that report, officials had not released any information about possible injuries or what might have started the fire, and investigators were still working the scene.
Where it happened
The blaze broke out in Powelton, a West Philadelphia neighborhood that borders University City and is known for a mix of long-term residents and student renters living in older multiunit rowhomes and apartment buildings. The Powelton Village Civic Association describes the area as part of University City and within walking distance of Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania. Fire safety has long been a concern in Philadelphia's older housing stock, and the Philadelphia Inquirer has reported that working smoke alarms and city programs to install them are critical in preventing fatalities.
Help and next steps
By Sunday afternoon, the cause of the fire had not been announced, and investigators remained on site while the surrounding block stayed closed to traffic. The city's Office of Emergency Management often sets up a Multi-Agency Resource Center to assist residents displaced by major fires, according to the Office of Emergency Management, and partners such as the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania typically provide shelter, basic supplies and recovery casework. Residents who have been displaced or who need immediate help can contact Philly 311 to request assistance and connect with available resources.
