3 dead, including child, in Chester rowhome fire; hoarding slowed rescue: officials

Chester fire kills woman, daughter, and 11-year-old granddaughter; man hospitalized

Three family members died in a rowhome fire in Chester, Delaware County, while a man in his seventies was rescued but severely injured.

CHESTER, Pa. - Three people, including a child, died and one man was hospitalized after a rowhome fire broke out in Chester early Wednesday, according to fire officials.

What we know:

Firefighters said they arrived at the 200 block of Jeffrey Street around 2:15 a.m. and had trouble getting into the home because of hoarding conditions.

Fire officials say the blaze started while many people were sleeping and quickly destroyed most of the rowhome, leaving only the front of the house standing.

Three people, including a child, died in the fire and a man in his seventies was rescued and taken to the hospital with severe injuries, according to Chester Fire Commissioner John-Paul Shirley. 

The victims included the rescued man’s wife, their daughter who was in her thirties, and his granddaughter, who fire officials say was only 11 and in the sixth grade.

What they're saying:

"I started yelling oh the house on fire, the house on fire," said Breon Triggs, a neighbor who captured video of the flames and heavy smoke just after 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. 

"I’m still sad about it because if I was in that predicament like I’d be sad," said Triggs.

Firefighters responded within four minutes of being dispatched and faced heavy flames and hoarding conditions inside the home, according to Shirley. 

Crews brought the fire under control within two hours, but structural collapse forced them to bring in heavy equipment to recover the bodies of the three family members. 

"I don’t even know what to say to that that’s crazy cause I never they don’t even bother nobody that’s sad," said Anthony Brooks, a neighbor. 

Mayor Stefan Roots said he had met the family’s daughter several times at the local community center and had a personal connection with the family after helping remove a blighted property next door. 

"It was a very honest, very sincere relationship and to see it and just as quickly like after what we both considered he and I a big victory it was really heartbreaking," said Roots. The Chester Fire Department is working with county and state partners to investigate the cause and origin of the fire.

The American Red Cross provided emergency support to people impacted by the fire, including comfort, emotional care, financial assistance, access to health services and referrals to local resources.

The Red Cross said their support is aimed at helping the family begin their recovery after the fire.

What we don't know:

Officials have not yet determined what caused the fire or released the names of the victims.