Tragedy struck South Philadelphia early Friday morning when a fire erupted in a three-story apartment building, resulting in the deaths of two men and leaving another in critical condition. Fire officials responded to the scene around 2 a.m. at 8th and Salter streets, where heavy smoke and flames were visible. Eyewitnesses reported seeing individuals trying to escape from upstairs windows as the fire spread.
First responders performed CPR on the sidewalk in attempts to revive the victims, but a 25-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were pronounced dead at the hospital. A 40-year-old survivor remains in critical condition.
Deputy Fire Commissioner Gustav Baumann expressed the emotional toll this incident has taken on the firefighters involved, stating that they are deeply affected as they are also part of the community they serve. Residents of the area voiced their concern about the dangerous conditions of the building, indicating they had previously notified city officials, fearing such a tragedy could occur.
A spokesperson for the city’s Licenses and Inspections department confirmed that an investigation is underway, with inspectors present at the scene. Notably, investigators discovered that there were no functioning smoke detectors inside the apartment, raising questions about the building’s safety compliance.
This incident highlights the crucial need for proper safety measures in residential buildings and the importance of timely responses from city authorities regarding hazardous living conditions. As the community comes together to mourn the loss and support those affected, there is hope that this tragedy will lead to enhanced fire safety regulations and stricter oversight to prevent future incidents.