2-alarm fire in Philadelphia's Francisville section placed under control; residents displaced
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A two-alarm fire at a building in Philadelphia's Francisville section was placed under control Monday night after it burned for roughly five hours, the city's fire department said.
It took about 100 firefighters to put out the blaze at a building located at Ridge Avenue and Francis Street, just west of Broad Street and The Met Philadelphia. It started around 4 p.m.
The blaze also left residents displaced, but the number of people is unclear at this time, the Red Cross said. The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management is currently providing housing for displaced residents Monday night as the Red Cross is helping with other resources, including mental health and spiritual services.
Chopper 3 caught thick smoke rising into the sky from the blaze.
"The plume of dark smoke was pretty much the span of three buildings and then it moved and we couldn't see the skyline over there," said Dani Prado, who was visiting Philadelphia.
Firefighters say they arrived so quickly because the fire station was across the street and just reopened.
"Ladder 1 just got put back into service. They were first in the scene. Someone knocked on the door and said they had fire in the building here, so of course, we were here in 30 seconds," Deputy Fire Commissioner Derek Bowmer said.
Firefighters climbed on top of the building's roof to battle the fire. They even used a drone to pinpoint exactly where to spray the water.
The blaze also spread to a building next to the fire, but no other properties were damaged, the Philadelphia Fire Department said.
No firefighters or residents were injured due to the fire.
"I came to the door and opened the door and I seen smoke in the hallway," said Larry Bryant, who lived in the building and escaped.
The building where the fire began was evacuated, along with the building where the fire spread. Everyone who lives in the buildings was accounted for, according to the fire department.
PECO said 128 customers near the fire are without power. It's unclear when it will be restored.
Some people who live nearby said they decided to leave the area because of the smoke conditions and the power outage.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
