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Body found after large rowhome fire damages homes in Germantown
The body of a person previously unaccounted for has been found after a large rowhome fire damaged homes in Germantown.
PHILADELPHIA - A large fire in East Germantown damaged several homes Tuesday.
What we know:
The fire broke out late Tuesday morning just after 11 a.m. on the 5700 block of North Lambert Street, where heavy flames and thick smoke were visible from the upper floors of a rowhome. Firefighters were seen working from the roof and surrounding exterior after crews determined the building had become structurally unsafe for an interior attack.
The fire spread damage to five homes, according to the Philadelphia Fire Department.
Crews said the flames were under control at 12:21 p.m.
Several people are without their homes.
One firefighter was injured and taken to the hospital but is in stable condition.
Because of the unstable conditions of the buildings after the fire, firefighters could not reenter the primary structure.
What they're saying:
Shantee Orr and her mother Cynthia, wrapped in blankets from the Red Cross, say they are unsure what they will be returning to. They left their home around 11 a.m., with very little
"It took a lot of time to put the fire out, so we have to see what kind of damage our house has, we haven’t been able to get inside yet to find out," said Shantee.
Her mother said they were first alerted to the fire by people screaming outside.
"We came to the door and we just saw all the fire coming from upstairs and then we got out of the house," said Cynthia.
Denisha Addison says she came to support her family members who were unable to find her 70-year-old aunt. The Philadelphia Fire Department would only say that one person was unaccounted for. In an update Tuesday evening, PFD officials say the body of the person has been found.
"She just turned 70. It was her 70th birthday about two months ago," said Addison. "She’s been living here on the block for about 50 years now and everyone on the block knows her, her daughter, her sons, it’s a real tragedy, we’re trying to figure out why this even happened."
What's next:
Investigators will begin work to determine how the fire started.
The Source: This article is based on early information from FOX 29 crews on scene and fire officials.