Fire in Philadelphia apartment building killed 12 people, including eight children

Disclaimer: The city initially announced that 13 people, including 7 children, were killed in the fire.However, on Wednesday night, a spokeswoman for the Mayor of Philadelphia Jim Kenny updated the death toll to 12, including 8 children.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the death struck Philadelphia.The authorities said that at least 12 people, including 8 children, Torn fire Go through an apartment building. Emergency personnel also sent two people, an adult and a child, to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Firefighters and police Arrived at the scene at 6:40 in the morning Local time, but the building has been engulfed by flames. According to reports, it took the firefighters about 50 minutes to contain the fire.

“There is no doubt that this is one of the most tragic days in our city’s history, so many people have been lost in such a tragic way,” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in tears. “Please let all these people, especially these children, keep praying. Losing so many children is a devastating blow.”

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26 people live in two apartments

The apartment building is located in a residential area of ​​the city’s Fairmont District. Obviously, the building was originally a row house until it was transformed into a three-story apartment building. The transformed space accommodates two apartments, but residents can only enter and exit through the front and rear doors. 26 people live in two apartments, 18 people in one apartment and 8 people in the other apartment.

City government records show that the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has owned the duplex apartment since 1967. Obviously, at least 26 people live in this three-story townhouse. Eight people escaped from their homes and lived in apartments behind the first and second floors. Eighteen people shared the second space, covering the front of the second floor and the entire third floor.

Firefighter’s discovery

At the scene, firefighters worked quickly to rescue people from the burning building. However, Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy said that the “fire” took over the kitchen area of ​​the second-floor apartment. It also ran up the open staircase leading to the third floor.

Craig’s deputy said: “The only thing that can slow the fire from disappearing from the movement is…nothing can slow the fire.”

According to NBC 10 Philadelphia, firefighters Six smoke detectors found In the building, but none of them can run. Kelvin A Jeremiah, President and CEO of PHA, stated that the property underwent the most recent inspection in May 2021. At the time, every detector was “operating normally,” Kelvin said.

Deputy Craig seemed emotional when explaining the seriousness of the situation.

“This is horrible. I have been working here for 35 years and this is probably one of the worst fires I have ever experienced,” said Deputy Craig.

The cause of the fire is unclear, but investigators are investigating the possibility of a Christmas tree. This is a story of development.

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