What to Know
- Around 20 people were displaced by a fire along Spruce Street, near 12th Street, in Center City Philadelphia Monday morning.
- One firefighter suffered a minor injury, Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said.
- It took about three hours to get the fire under control.
Residents were forced from their homes early Monday morning after fire broke out in a row of Center City homes. A firefighter suffered a minor injury battling the blaze.
Philadelphia firefighters responded to the fire in a three-story row home with several units inside along Spruce Street near 12th Street around 4:10 a.m.
Heavy flames could be seen coming from the one row home as people in neighboring properties fled their homes. Around 20 people were forced from their homes, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said.
Firefighters knocked down the flames as the fire went to two alarms with more than 100 firefighters responding, Thiel said.. Smoke could be seen coming from the row home and neighboring homes after daybreak. That smoke could be smelled in other parts of Center City.
The fire was finally under control after about three hours. It took some extra time to control the fire due to the dense nature of the units and age of the building, Thiel said.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital, Thiel said.
The American Red Cross assisted people from at least 11 units with temporary lodging, food and clothing assistance.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management urged people to avoid the area of 12th and Spruce.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
