9 firefighters hurt, residents displaced after West Philadelphia fire, officials say
A large fire in the Wynnefield section of West Philadelphia has left at least 10 people injured, including nine firefighters, officials said.
Philadelphia Fire Department officials tell CBS News Philadelphia the flames broke out just before 10:30 p.m. Monday. When crews arrived on scene along the 5300 block of Hazelhurst Street, the fire had already spread to neighboring homes.
"I heard the fire before I even saw it," neighbor Rosa Tunkara said.
Tunkara went from watching TV inside her home to calling 911 Monday night. Her Ring camera captured the moments when her neighbor's house caught fire.
"If you were at Overbrook High School, you could see the flames from Overbrook. That's how high they were," she said.
At one point, some 100 firefighters were on scene.
Fire officials said the blaze was placed under control at 11:07 p.m., just moments before a collapse inside one of the homes trapped nine firefighters. First responders were able to rescue all of them safely and transported them to local hospitals. On Friday, fire officials confirmed all firefighters had been released from the hospital and are expected to be OK.
"It takes a special person to run into a burning building," Denise Sloane, whose cousin lives in one of the homes, said. "Instinct tells us to run out, and they run in. For them to get hurt in the line of duty, it's just overwhelming."
Crews remained on the scene for several hours afterward, putting out hot spots and assessing the damage.
The Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania confirmed they are assisting nine people from two families who are now out of their homes.
"We are grateful our members made it out alive and hope their injuries will heal quickly," Mike Bresnan, president of the Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics Union, said in a statement in part. "This fire is just a reminder of the unpredictable nature of fire and the path of destruction it can take."
Crews are working to put up fencing around the three impacted rowhomes on Hazelhurst Street. The Department of Licenses and Inspections tells CBS News Philadelphia the middle home will be torn down, and the other two were also declared unsafe.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Philadelphia division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said members of its Arson and Explosives Task Force are assisting the Philadelphia Fire Marshal with the investigation.
