KYW Flashback: The Meridian High-Rise Fire
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- KYW reporters were scrambled back to work from their weekends as flames and thick smoke were seen for miles in the Center City sky.
It's been 24 years since that blaze erupted on the 22nd floor of the 38 story Meridian building.
Investigators blamed oil soaked rags that had been left behind by a contractor for the blaze. The devastating fire that took nearly 24 hours to control cost the lives of 3 firefighters and raised questions about the city's ability to handle a high-rise blaze.
The location raised the stakes. The Meridian was across the street from City Hall and surrounded by iconic Philadelphia structures.
It would be 8 years before the derelict which had become an eyesore in the heart of the city was finally demolished to make room for a luxury high-rise condo complex. In that time, fire codes were changed to give firefighters a fighting chance in sky piercing structures.