One person is dead after fire tore through a building near 44th and Chestnut streets in West Philadelphia early Tuesday morning, sending crews scrambling through heavy smoke in response to reports of people trapped inside. A firefighter was also hurt battling the blaze, which left the cause still under investigation as the day began.
Firefighters were called to the 4400 block of Chestnut Street to find flames already showing, though accounts differ on the exact timing: Fox29 reported crews were dispatched around 6 a.m., and 6abc put the call at roughly 6:20 a.m. Outlets also disagreed on the nature of the property itself — Fox29 described it as a three-story apartment building, while KYW Newsradio identified it as a row home. One person was found dead after the fire, according to PHL17.
Crews Found Heavy Smoke and Flames on the Upper Levels
Crews arrived to find large flames on the upper level of the building along with heavy smoke billowing out, Fox29 reported. 6abc similarly reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the third floor. The Philadelphia Fire Department said the blaze was brought under control, according to PHL17.
Accounts also varied on how many other occupants made it out safely. Fox29 reported that three other residents were able to escape the flames, while 6abc reported that two others escaped. Officials did not immediately say how many people may have been in the property, according to NBC Philadelphia, and the identity of the person who died had not been released.
Firefighter Hurt, Smoke Alarms Were Working
One firefighter was injured during the firefight; Fox29 reported that the firefighter received treatment for burns. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Fox29 reported.
During Chopper 6 coverage of the scene, 6abc noted that flames could also be seen near a charcoal grill at the property. The West Philadelphia fire comes just days after a separate blaze in North Philadelphia's Fairhill neighborhood, where a young girl died and another child and two adults were hurt in a rowhome fire on D Street, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.
