Police are investigating the cause of a row home fire that claimed the lives of a block captain and her three children in Feltonville.
The blaze broke out around 1:30 Thursday morning on the 4800 block of N. Palethorp St.
Neighbors could hear the screams of 33-year-old Rashidah Butts-Wilson and her three kids.
They were found in one upstairs bedroom, her son Jamar Nobles, 13, was found in another and two girls, 11-year-old Minyan Wilson and 8-year-old Shaniay Patterson, were discovered in the third.
Investigators say the only smoke detector in the house was in the basement, but it didn’t have batteries.
The Red Cross is assisting two families who were living in adjacent homes that were affected by the fire. They’re providing money for food, clothing and shelter.
Throughout the night friends and family stopped by the house to leave balloons and console one another.
A spiritual care team is also being provided to help residents cope with what has happened.
An arson dog was brought in Thursday afternoon to investigate the fire but it didn't appear suspicious, authorities said.
Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBCPhiladelphia.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our breaking news newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)
