3 children, adult injured after fire at West Philadelphia rowhome
An adult and three children are injured after a fire broke out at a rowhome in West Philadelphia, according to a spokesperson from the city's fire department. At least one person was rescued by firefighters, the spokesperson said.
Firefighters were called to a rowhome on the 100 block of South 57th Street around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The fire started at a two-story rowhome and spread to other houses on the block, according to the fire department.
Four people were treated at the scene and then taken to the hospital. The injuries are not believed to be serious, officials said.
The fire was placed under control shortly before 2:50 p.m. At least 19 people have been displaced, the fire department said.
"As a result of the wind, we had this fire spread through the porch front areas to eight additional homes, so we had nine homes total damaged by fire," Assistant Fire Chief Charles Walker said.
Joshua Davidson was inside his home when the fire began. He said he had to carry his grandmother, who has dementia, out during of the house.
"I just lifted her up with both arms and carried her out," Davidson said.
A neighbor told CBS News Philadelphia that he saw smoke when he returned home from Fresh Grocer, and by the time he put groceries away, the fire had picked up.
"I've got friends who live on that block. They're good people, they're nice people," the neighbor said. "Retired people. I really feel for them right now. It's really messed up. It's emotional because these people were good. If anybody could help them, I wish they would because nobody deserves this. Between that fire, this wind and this water, everything is ruined."
The neighbor said he always spoke about sports and the Philadelphia Eagles with his neighbors.
"I'm just really messed up right now," the neighbor said. "I don't know what to say. If anybody out there has a little passion in their heart to look out for my neighbors, it would be really nice because these people worked hard all their lives."
Officials say 75 firefighters responded to the blaze. The fire department is helping those who have lost their homes.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said.