Two Adults, Two Kids Killed in Row Home Fire

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says it's "just a terrible morning", as he describes a deadly fire that killed four people, including two children in West Philadelphia.

Two adults and two children were killed in a fire early Monday at a row home along the 5200 block of Chancellor Street in West Philadelphia.

Philadelphia firefighters were called to the home around 4:45 a.m. They discovered 68-year-old Chuck McClendan in the front room of the second floor. Rishya Jenkins and two children, Cyncere McClendan and Jaden McClendan were also found on the second floor, according to investigators.

McClendan and the children were pronounced dead at local hospitals, Jenkins died at the scene, according to Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.

Commissioner Ayers says firefighters found no signs of working smoke detectors in the home, "They didn't get an early warning", said Ayers.

"It's devastating to lose a family like that," said Esther Woods, a local resident who called 911. "My prayers just go out to the whole family."

McClendan's son, Anthony,  who is Jenkins' boyfriend and the father of  Cyncere and Jaden returned home from work to find the house in flames, he was unable to get inside.

Family members tell NBC10, he tried to commit suicide after learning his father, sons and girlfriend died. He was sent to the hospital where he had to be sedated. 

There have been 14 fire deaths in the city of Philadelphia so far this  year. A woman and her four-year-old great-niece were killed early Sunday in a house fire in North Philadelphia.

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