Four children are dead after a fire swept through eight row houses in Philadelphia early Saturday morning, authorities said. Dozens of residents were also displaced following the blaze.
An investigation has been launched to figure out where and how the fire started that claimed the lives of four children in one home. The victims included a 1-month-old baby boy, 4-year-old twin girls and a 4-year-old boy.
“This is a tragic, tragic day for the city of Philadelphia. Tragic. We lost four children today,” said Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer. “And I want everybody to understand that fire is everyone’s fight. Not just the fire department. It’s everyone’s fight.”
Two 11-year-old girls suffered smoke inhalation, while four people had minor injuries. Witnesses said people tried to rescue the children who were trapped in the fire, but were unsuccessful in their efforts. Sawyer said the heavy fire in three homes spread to five more homes via wooden porch roofs.
Photo courtesy of Rob Tornoe/Philly.com
At least 42 residents were displaced in the three-alarm fire. A shelter has been set up for them at a nearby high school.