70-year-old woman dies after fire tears through rowhomes in Philadelphia's East Germantown neighborhood
A 70-year-old woman died Tuesday after a fire tore through several rowhomes in Philadelphia's East Germantown neighborhood and displaced 12 people. Family identified the 70-year-old as Denise Green.
Firefighters raced to the 5700 block of North Lambert Street, not far from La Salle University's North Campus dorms, at around 11:30 a.m. to find three homes on fire.
Green's family described her as a loving person and a deeply faithful Christian. She leaves behind three children and many more grandchildren.
"She's been living here for about 50 years now, and everyone on the block knows her, her daughter, her sons," Denisha Addison, Green's niece, said. "It's a real tragedy. We're trying to figure out why this even happened."
While over the scene, Chopper 3 caught firefighters working on three homes on North Lambert Street. Flames were seen shooting through the roof as firefighters battled dangerously cold temperatures and gusty winds.
Green's family stood by all afternoon waiting for answers, as the flames caused significant structural damage, which prevented firefighters from entering any of the rowhomes. By evening, demolition crews arrived, making it safe enough for firefighters to enter the and search for Green, who was found dead inside one of the rowhomes.
Neighbors described Green as family and said the loss is especially painful just weeks after attending her 70th birthday party.
"She had so much fun," Brenda Talley, another neighbor, said. "She was dancing, and it was a really nice celebration for her. But it's so devastating today. So sad to see this happen to her."
Green's family said they'll soon be collecting donations for funeral expenses as they continue grieving her sudden loss.
"Loving, she was fun," Donna Mason, another neighbor, said. "Like I said, she loved to party, dance. We all had block parties back in the day. She was our block captain!"
The fire on North Lambert Street forced multiple people to evacuate their homes.
Wrapped in blankets to keep warm, Cynthia and Shantay Orr said that once they realized their home was on fire, they rushed out.
The mother and daughter heard screaming outside and saw fire after looking out their door.
Neighbors on 21st Street also heard the commotion and said people were banging on their doors to get out.
"I was sleeping in the living room," Mayia Geiger said, "and she came down running downstairs saying, 'Mom, mom, it's a bunch of smoke, there's fire.'"
Jillian Geiger said all she heard was to put her clothes on and get out.
The Streets Department was also helping with a salt truck to melt the ice as water continues to flow from the scene of the three burned rowhomes.
The cause of the fire that left three homes destroyed remains under investigation by the fire marshal.
The American Red Cross said it's providing support to 12 people impacted by Tuesday's fire.