Authorities say a fire in a southwest Philadelphia apartment building has claimed the life of one man and critically injured another.
Fire crews responding at about 5:40 a.m. Sunday to the 6500 block of Woodland Avenue reported thick, black smoke billowing from the third story of the three-story building.
Eight people inside were able to escape, but one man only made it out after he was pulled by firefighters, Philadelphia Fire Department Assistant Chief Harry Bannan said. That man, who officials say was between 30 and 40 years of age, was taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:37 a.m.
As the fire tore through the building, another man, also between the ages of 30 and 40, in an adjoining property also became trapped, Bannan said. Firefighters were able to rescue him and rushed him to Penn Presbyterian Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
About 74 firefighters responded to the blaze, Bannan said. They were finally able to bring the flames under control around 6:14 a.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
