Police: Gunman Dies In Kensington Fire
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Authorities in Philadelphia are investigating a fire and a shooting that happened at a row home in the city's Kensington section Saturday morning.
Police as well as firefighters responded to the 3300 block of Rand Street at about 11:40 a.m. Despite the home being on fire, police entered the building before firefighters in search of a gunman, authorities say.
"Fire and police see a man down on the living room floor with a gunshot wound," said Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross. "We believe it's to the head. We're not certain at this time."
Moments later, a man on the second floor started throwing objects at firefighters and later raised a gun to officers before fleeing to the second floor of the home, according to police.
"Immediately upon entry, a man with a gun starts throwing things downstairs at firemen," said Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan.
"They told him to drop the gun," Ross said, "but he does not do so. He raised his gun. Our officers discharged several times at him."
Due to the intensity of the fire, police were forced to exit the building and allowed firefighters to put out the rest of the blaze. Authorities say the second floor of the home started to collapse shortly after police exited. Police believe the suspect was killed in the blaze.
"We are reasonably confident that he is on the second floor and that he was a victim of the fire," said Sullivan.
There is no word on the identity of the victim nor the suspect. Crews are still investigating the cause of the fire.
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Reported by Oren Liebermann, CBS 3; Crystal Cranmore, CBS Philly
