A police officer rushed into a South Philadelphia home early Thursday morning as flames tore through the property, claiming the lives of two people who were trapped inside.
There were no working smoke detectors in the home on the 400 block of Daly Street, near Wolf and 4th streets, where the fire broke out around 1:30 a.m., said Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer.
The officer, who was first at the scene, entered the home to try to save the two residents -- a man and his girlfriend, but was unable to reach them through the heavy smoke and flames, officials said.
Fire crews were on the scene within three minutes of receiving the call, Saywer said. The blaze, which began in the first floor of the home before spreading, was brought under control within 20 minutes, he said.
Family members said the couple had space heaters running and candles lit to help heat their home, however fire officials have yet to confirm those details.
"I didn't know what to do," said Christina Andrews, a relative of the man killed in the blaze. "I wanted to run towards it, but he grabbed me back."
The man had recently returned home from a local hospital, where he received treatment for pneumonia, said Andrews, who said both he and his girlfriend were killed.
The 2nd floor of the home had recently undergone repairs for a fire that occurred several years ago, she added.
Authorities have not yet identified the victims. The police officer was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
No word yet on the fire's cause.
The deadly tragedy occurred on the same block where an explosion leveled three homes and injured eight people, including two infants, in 2013.
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Sawyer reminded the public to make sure they have working smoke alarms in their homes and provide ample room for space heaters. He also suggested families create an escape plan in case of fire.
