PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – A mother who jumped from a fire in a hut in the Kensington area of Philadelphia is the only survivor of the fire that took the lives of her husband and three children, officials said.
“Right now we are disappointed and grieving, we are grieving with this community with these families,” said Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel.
The fire broke out shortly after 2 am on Sunday in block 3200 on Hartville Street.
Authorities said firefighters arrived in heavy flames leaving the home, but not much remained after they arrived.
The commissioner said the first engine arrived within two minutes of the first call to 911, but huge flames were blowing from the first and second floors, making rescue difficult.
“Unfortunately, with fires burning hotter and faster than ever, despite our best efforts, the best efforts of our members, we are tragically and unfortunately too often late,” Teale said.
Teal said a total of five people were trapped. A 38-year-old woman managed to escape the flames by jumping out of a window.
She was taken to Temple University Hospital to be treated for burns.
Derek Bowmer, executive director of the Philadelphia Fire Department, said three minors and an elderly man had been killed.
“Our men and women from the fire department made a valiant effort to try to save here. Unfortunately, we have a tragedy that ended this morning,” Bowmer said.
Principal Charlotte Gillam-Maddox of Lewis Elkin Elementary School in the Philadelphia school district said two of the children attended her school.
One was a third grader and the other was in kindergarten.
Gillum-Maddox and several teachers came to show their support for the family.
“They are our babies and on Sunday we are here with the family that is partnering with them to make sure they get everything they need,” Gillam-Maddox said.
Action News spoke with neighbor Engel Rivera, who said the father was his best friend.
“I said, ‘Where’s my best friend?’ Are you kidding? Are you sure he’s there? Because the house was on fire. I couldn’t get in there, “Rivera said.
Rivera said he spoke to his mother before she was taken to hospital. He described her body as badly burned.
Rivera said she told him what her husband had told her before he ran away.
“He told her to get out. He usually jumped out the window and I was going to pick up the children. Those were his last words,” Rivera said as he described his conversation with his mother.
Rivera was mad and could not understand the tragedy in his block.
A woman told Action News that her husband is the brother of the man who failed. He was too shaken to speak.
“Life is short, you know, so if you have kids, hug them. Appreciate them because you never know, “Rivera said.
The names of the victims are not reported. An investigation is pending into the cause of the fire.
The fire department said the house had no working smoke detectors.
They encourage anyone who does not have working smoke detectors to call 311. They will go out and install them.
The school is now partnering with the Philadelphia Fire Department to ensure that all of their students have fire prevention and fire safety lessons.
As of January 1 this year, the Philadelphia Fire Department said 312 families had been displaced by the fire, killing 21 and injuring 38.
“Philadelphia has a fire problem and we need your help because fire is everyone’s fight,” Teale said.
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