Heat Cited in 4 Deaths in Philly Area

Philadelphia health officials say the deaths of two people Saturday were heat-related, the first in the city stemming from the current heat wave.

A suburban Philadelphia county is also citing heat as a factor in the deaths of two residents earlier in the week.

Department of Public Health spokesman Jeff Moran says hyperthermia was a factor in the death of a 90-year-old woman found by a relative in her South Philadelphia home. Moran says relatives have told officials that the woman had been using a fan with the windows shut despite efforts by family members to persuade her not to do so.

Moran says a 56-year-old Northeast Philadelphia resident was taken by a relative to the hospital, where he was treated for hyperthermia but did not survive.