Firefighters Battle Frigid Conditions During Kingsessing Fires

By Jenn Bernstein

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia firefighters faced extreme cold conditions while responding to several fire calls Thursday night and Friday morning.

Two fires were located in Kingsessing.

The first one happened shortly after midnight on the 5600 block of Beaumont Avenue.

In that fire, officials say a 31-year-old man suffered burns to 40 percent of his body, including his face. He was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in an unknown condition.

Firefighters then responded to a fire on 70th and Upland Streets at a two story home, which quickly spread to the adjoining residence.

Fire officials say both houses were unoccupied and no one was injured.

While battling intense flames and heat, firefighters experienced difficulty with frozen hydrants.

After the fire was knocked down, the water quickly turned to ice, which created a slippery work environment for firefighters still cleaning up the scene.

There is no word on what caused either fire in Kingsessing.

In:
• Kingsessing
• Fire
• Philadelphia