More than 100 people were forced out of their apartment building and into the rain following a fire and broken water pipe.
A mattress caught fire in an apartment on the 16th floor of a high-rise, part of the Fairhill Philadelphia Housing Authority complex, at 11th and York Streets in North Philadelphia just before 9 p.m. on Friday, fire officials said.
A number of elderly and handicapped residents had to be rescued and evacuated from the building by police officers and firefighters.
Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control, but in the meantime, a water pipe burst in the building forcing the power to be cut.
The resulting incident prompted officials to evacuate the entire 160-unit building, officials said.
The American Red Cross set up a shelter at the nearby Deburgos Elementary School at 4th and Lehigh Streets.
Red Cross officials say at least 100 people have already arrived at the shelter.
