Two children died in an early Tuesday morning fire in Upper Darby that injured their mother, as well as two firefighters who responded to the incident.
According to officials, the children were twins, both 5-years-old.
"Today is a sad day in the township. We lost two of our children today in this fire," Upper Darby Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer said early Tuesday.
The fire started just after 4 a.m. at a home along the 300 block of Margate Road.
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Officials believe the fire started on the first floor and spread upstairs and into the girls’ room because of open doors.
“I seen a window where the smoke was coming out and there was two kids in there screaming help,” Reginald, a neighbor who tried to rescue the girls, told NBC10.
Cellphone video obtained by NBC10 shows emergency crews attempting to enter the home and save the girls. Sawyer said firefighters made a "valiant effort" but were unable to get to the girls on time due to the heavy smoke and flames.
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The fire, Sawyer said, "was a fast moving, hot burning fire," but crews were able get it under control within about 24 minutes.
“I have seen fire on TV,” Winnie Goodwill, a neighbor, told NBC10 while fighting back tears. “I have heard a fire. But seeing that fire, it discouraged me. I don’t even want to go back into the house.”
Sawyer said the children's mother jumped out a rear window of the home and was taken to a nearby hospital where she is undergoing surgery. Officials have not yet revealed her condition.
Two firefighters were also injured in the incident.
Sawyer said that he could hear a smoke alarm in the basement of the property, but he noted that residents need to make sure they have working smoke alarms throughout their homes.
“You have to have a working smoke alarm,” he said. “You have to test it. You have to have a home escape plan so that if you have a fire you know how to get out. And then again, close before you doze.”
Currently, he said, the fire is under investigation though officials don't believe it was suspicious.
Officials also handed out fire detectors to Upper Darby residents on Tuesday, encouraging everyone to have a fire safety plan.
Members of the Upper Darby community left gifts, condolences and messages of support for the family of the young girls. They plan to hold a vigil for the twins on Wednesday.
“We can all pray for her,” Carmila Ferris, a former neighbor, told NBC10. “Her strength for her family. You know what I’m saying? For the block.”
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