June 18, 2022
Philadelphia Fire Department/Twitter
One firefighter died after a Fairhill building collapsed on six city workers on Saturday morning.
One firefighter died and five others were rescued after a Fairhill building collapsed following a fire early Saturday morning.
The deceased was a 27-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department, officials announced shortly before 8 a.m.
The other five, four firefighters and one Philadelphia Licensing & Inspection official, were transported to Temple University Hospital. The inspector and two firefighters have been release while one remains hospitalized in stable condition, 6ABC reports.
Update: PFD continued work to rescue 2 trapped members from the collapse at 300 W. Indiana St. 1 member was transported to the hospital. The other, a 27-year veteran, was pronounced at the scene. Our thoughts are with his friends, family, and fellow PFD along with all affected.
— Philadelphia Fire (@PhillyFireDept) June 18, 2022
The blaze began in a commercial building on 3rd Street and West Indiana Avenue, officials say. First responders arrived on the scene around 2 a.m. and were able to put out the fire in about 15 minutes, FOX29 reports.
But around 3:30 a.m. a large chunk of the building collapsed on the six workers who were surveying the scene of the blaze to ensure there were no remaining hotspots, NBC10 reports.
One person escaped the collapse by jumping from a second-story window. The rest of the survivors were pulled from the pile of rubble which was about as tall as a grown adult, CNN reports.
Update: PFD continued work to rescue 2 trapped members from the collapse at 300 W. Indiana St. 1 member was transported to the hospital. The other, a 27-year veteran, was pronounced at the scene. Our thoughts are with his friends, family, and fellow PFD along with all affected.
— Philadelphia Fire (@PhillyFireDept) June 18, 2022
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire but don't believe it was intentional. The identity of the deceased firefighter has not been released at this time.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
This story was edited after it was initially published.
