1 dead as massive fire rips through North Philadelphia home, Roosevelt Boulevard reopens
One person was killed and four people were sent to the hospital after a massive two-alarm fire destroyed a twin home in North Philadelphia.
Officials with the Philadelphia Fire Department told CBS News Philadelphia crews were called out to West Albanus and North Front streets around 11:30 p.m. Sunday. When they arrived, they found heavy fire and smoke conditions on the second and third floors of the structure.
Twelve people were displaced by the fire, and about 100 firefighters were on the scene. Three people inside the home were taken to an area hospital, and the Philadelphia Fire Department told CBS News Philadelphia a fire service EMT was also transported to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Fire officials said later Monday that three of the people who were hurt were released, while one remains hospitalized.
The victim, who officials said appears to be a man, was found inside the building after the fire was extinguished. Crews have demolished the building, which was made unstable by the fire.
The fire is adjacent to Roosevelt Boulevard and caused emergency officials to close northbound and southbound lanes between North Front and Mascher streets for hours Monday morning. The northbound lanes reopened around 6:15 a.m., and all lanes were open shortly after 12:30 p.m.
The fire was placed under control a little before 2:30 a.m. Monday.
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the fire marshal's office.
Amir Oliver, who lives behind the building, described feeling the heat from the flames.
"It was bad," he said. "When I say bad, you felt it! My windows was up, I felt the heat, I'm like, oh, that's a little dangerous."
Carol Randall, who talked to CBS News Philadelphia outside her church, St. Gabriel's Episcopal, across the street, said she knew a man experiencing homelessness who lived inside the building. She believes it had been vacant.
She said the man's name is David.
"If he hurt, I'll go check on him. But I hope he ain't leave us. He always say leaving out, I love you, Carol. I love you," Randall said. "Said if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here."
