At Least 13 Killed In Philadelphia Fire, Deadliest In 100 Years

PHILADELPHIA — At least 13 people, including several children, died in a residential fire Wednesday morning in Philadelphia, according to officials.

The fire broke out at 6:38 a.m. at 869 N. 23rd St. in the Fairmount neighborhood, the Philadelphia Fire Department said.

Crews found heavy fire coming from the second floor of a three-story row house that was converted into two public housing apartments.

As crews battled the fire, they learned of multiple deaths related to the fire.

The fire department said the fire was under control in about 50 minutes.

First Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy said seven of those who died were children whose ages are unknown. Eight other people were able to escape the fire. At least two people were taken to hospitals.

Murphy said the death toll is dynamic and could increase as the investigation continues.

The first-floor unit had eight tenants, and the second- and third-floor units had 18 tenants, according to preliminary reports from authorities.

The only exits of the property were the back and front doors, Murphy said.

Murphy said the building had four battery-operated smoke detectors, but that none of them worked.

The property is owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, officials confirmed.

According to NBC10, a Philadelphia Housing Authority spokesperson said smoke alarm batteries were replaced during a May 2021 inspection.

Mayor Jim Kenney said the incident marked one of the most tragic days in the city's history.

It's unclear where in the building the fire began.

Murphy said the fire marshal's office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the cause of the fire, though it's not necessarily considered suspicious.

According to reports and social media accounts, neighbors could hear screams coming from the building and that 911 calls were going unanswered.