Three children, a woman and a Philadelphia police officer are hospitalized after a West Philly rowhome fire. Officials said high winds caused the flames to spread across the nine homes. NBC10’s Brian Sheehan has the details.
Fire crews worked Wednesday afternoon as a fire burned through several homes located near the intersection of 57th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia.
Officials said the first crews were on the scene just after 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and reported heavy fire on the first floor and heavy smoke on the second floor of a two-story rowhome. Due to high winds, the fire spread to eight other homes nearby.
NBC10 was there as crews were pulling people out of homes along the block, and smoke could also be seen pouring from the homes.
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During the fire, officials said one child jumped from a home and was injured. Two other children and one woman were also hurt.
All four people were taken to the hospital for treatment. Officials did not provide more information on the identities or the severity of their injuries.
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According to the Philadelphia Police Department, an officer was injured trying to help residents from a house that was engulfed in flames on the block.
The officer was able to get the residents to safety, but they suffered from smoke inhalation and were transported to the hospital and placed in stable condition, police said.
"I come here, the fireman is ripping off my roof and walking out of my bedroom window, and it’s all gone. Everything, I just can’t believe it. It’s just unbelievable. I don’t know what happened," Alea Copeland, a resident on the block, told NBC10.
Joshua Davidson, another neighbor who lives on the block, said he believed the fire began at a home next to his own.
"I guess the kids were cooking or somebody was cooking and the next thing I know, somebody was banging on my door," he said. "This is just really unfortunate."
Davidson said he had to work to get his grandmother safely out of the home.
"I'm honestly glad to be alive right now," he said.
The Philadelphia Fire Department said that crews were able to contain the fire around 2:50 p.m. More than 75 firefighters were on the scene fighting this fire.
The fire marshal's office is working to determine the cause and origin of the fire, officials said.
In a news release, the Philadelphia Fire Department took the opportunity to remind residents how dangerous fires can be. They wrote in part:
"Please refrain from intentionally burning anything and make sure your space heaters are at least three feet from any furniture, curtains, or anything else which might be flammable. Please remind viewers they can receive free smoke alarms for their homes by calling 311 to request them. Members of the PFD will come install them for free."
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