Old City Firehouse Could Reopen This Summer
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Old City firehouse sidelined by fire last September (see related story) is on track to reopen this summer.
Work to restore the fire-damaged firehouse at Fourth and Arch could finish by the end of July, says incoming fire commissioner Derrick Sawyer.
"They have already started work on the building. They're working feverishly to get it open as soon as possible."
Sawyer says crews replaced the roof damaged when the engine in a medic unit caught fire, and he says as construction goes on, workers found more areas that need repair.
Once the work is finished, Sawyer says it will likely be a few more weeks before city inspectors clear the firehouse for crews to move back in.
Sawyer says given the location in the city's historic district, it can't reopen soon enough, "It's definitely a priority. We need all of our stations open. We believe in keeping the community safe. Right now that's not open. So to us, that's a priority."
