A fire that destroyed and damaged several row homes that were under construction in Philadelphia's Point Breeze section early Monday morning has been ruled an arson. Police are now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for the person responsible.
The Point Breeze homes are in the district of Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. Johnson is also adding a $2500 reward for anyone with information leading to an arrest.
"Justice should be swift and severe for the many lives that were put in danger in the Point Breeze neighborhood," Johnson said in a released statement.
Firefighters found several homes engulfed in flames when they arrived at the corner or 21st and Wharton streets around 4:30 a.m. Monday. The fire destroyed several residential properties that were in different stages of construction. The property is owned by developer Ori Feibush's OCF Realty.
No injuries were reported.
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Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Admam Thiel praised the 75 firefighters on the scene for getting the blaze under control in about an hour, minimizing the damage.
"Anywhere else in the country this would’ve gone to five alarms and the entire block would’ve been involved in fire," Thiel said.
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The ATF, Philadelphia Fire Marshal's Office and Philadelphia Police Department are all investigating the arson. NBC10 also learned police are investigating a possible connection between the fire and vandalism in Kensington overnight in which suspects damaged high-end cars and newly developed properties.
The suspects in the Kensington vandalism left behind a banner with an anti-gentrification message.
"We are considering all possibilities," Steven Bartholomew of the ATF said. "We have ruled nothing in and nothing out. As of this point the criminal investigation is underway."
If you have any information, please call the ATF 24/7 hotline at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473), email: ATFTips@atf.gov or submit a tip anonymously by using the ReportIt App on your mobile phone.
