Crews Battle Huge Fire At Auto Body Shop In Northeast Philadelphia; Firefighter Injured

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Crews spent a majority of Saturday morning and afternoon battling a huge six-alarm fire at an auto body shop in Northeast Philadelphia that injured at least one firefighter and forced several families from their homes.

Flames broke out late Saturday morning at Joe's Auto Body and Transmission in the 4600 block of Griscom Street near Orthodox Street in the Frankford section of the city. The fire was placed under control just before 3:00 Saturday afternoon.

Officials say the high winds and extreme cold made things difficult for firefighters battling the blaze.

Authorities say one firefighter was injured while battling the blaze. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time. A mother and her infant were taken to the hospital for precautionary evaluation of the child. They were not injured.

GALLERY: Fire and Ice: Fighting The Huge Auto Body Fire

The shop appeared to be a total loss.

The fire was causing a problem along SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line, which was only running trains between Erie-Torresdale Station and the 69th Street Transportation Center. Shuttle bus service was in effect between the Frankford Transportation Center and Erie-Torresdale.

The American Red Cross is assisting at least four families impacted by the fire. Red Paw was also on scene assisting residents with displaced pets.

The city had set up an evacuation center at nearby Marshall School for residents to stay warm, if needed.

Smoke from the fire could be seen by motorists along I-95 and even from the CBS Broadcast Center in Spring Garden.

There was no immediate word on any other injuries or on the cause of the fire.

In:
• Philadelphia Fire Department
• Philadelphia