An early morning blaze tore through a family's store and home causing causing a father to take on the role of hero.
The flames broke in a corner store at N 26th and W Sergeant Streets in North Philadelphia. The fire quickly spread to the apartment above where the family that owns the store lives.
The store owner Eddis Manzanillo says awoke to the sound of a smoke alarm around 3:50 a.m.
Manzanillo, who lives above the store with his children, quickly woke up his 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.
Manzanillo told translator Samuel Rivera about what happened next.
"He makes his way to the back window -- the kids' room -- takes the window out and lowers the kids one at a time, drops them down." said Rivera. "Then he jumps out himself."
Manzanillo then rushed to a nearby firehouse -- Engine 45 -- to ask for help, according to authorities.
The kids were rushed to St. Christopher’s Hospital but later released to the care of family members, according to their father.
No firefighters were hurt battling the blaze, according to fire Lt. Stephen Paslawski.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Heavy smoke poured out of broken windows as firefighters battled the blaze. By 5 a.m. they had the blaze under control.
The investigation continues into what caused the blaze but firefighters do say it appeared to have started in the front of the store.
As the sun came up, investigators could be seen taking items out of the store.
Manzanillo said he is grateful his family is OK and that that is more important than his store, which he as owned for about two years.
