1 killed, 1 injured in North Philadelphia rowhome fire

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - Tragedy in North Philadelphia after a man dies in a house fire.

The fire broke out in a rowhome on the 2400 block of North 17th Street early Saturday morning, around 4:30, officials said.

Firefighters found fire on the second floor of the property, while up on the third floor, Assistant Deputy Commissioner Derek Bowmer stated conditions were "real hot."

During an interior search of the residence, crews found the body of a man on the third floor. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities had no details regarding the man’s identity.

"I thought everybody got out, you know? That was sad thought," neighbor Lucius Tucker stated.

A sad realization for the neighbor, who thought everyone survived the fire. He even helped a person who ran out of the burning home. "A young lady was out there and she had no shoes, no jacket on. I gave her a jacket and a pair of sneakers.," he said.

Tucker says it was very cold when firefighters arrived around 4:30.

Firefighters placed the fire under control within about 20 minutes of their arrival.

Neighbors say police and fire crews were investigating for quite some time after the fire was under control.

Neighbor Audrey McFadden said, "Police had the block blocked off and down the side. I’ve seen a lot of people standing out here and I saw fire trucks, but I didn’t actually see a fire."

In the fire’s aftermath, the city has deemed the home unsafe due to structural damage, as many grieve the life lost inside the burning home. McFadden added, "Any type of loss is tragic, regardless of the circumstances."

Deputy Commissioner Bowmer said crews did not hear any working smoke detectors and for anyone needing a smoke detector to please call 311 and firefighters will come out and install them for residents.