Philadelphia firefighters battle several overnight fires in extreme cold

Firefighters in Philadelphia worked overnight to battle several fires amid bitter winter conditions.

The Philadelphia Fire Department shared that the first fire happened at a two-story rowhome on Lindenwood Avenue just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 24.

When crews arrived at the scene, they found fire on both floors of the rowhome. It took crews around an hour to place the fire under control. Officials said the home was vacant and no injuries were reported.

Then the fire department said that around 3:15 a.m., crews were called to the 300 block of South 52nd Street and found fire coming from the first and second floors of a two-story storefront building with apartments above it.

Officials said that some crews experienced water pressure issues during the response due to the weather. Salt and sand trucks were brought to the scene to reduce ice and create safer conditions during the over 3-hour response.

The fire, which reached three alarms, also spread to another building behind, with flames coming through the fourth floor of those apartments on Pine Street, creating a risk for collapse.

Officials said crews were able to place the fire under control just before 7 a.m. One firefighter sustained an injury and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

More than 15 people are now displaced from their homes following this blaze.

Another fire happened around 2:30 a.m. on the 2000 block of North 8th Street, the fire department shared. When crews arrived on scene, they found fire on the second and third floors of a three-story apartment building.

While crews were trying to contain the blaze, officials said the building’s roof had collapsed. The fire was under control just before 4 a.m.

Officials said four people sustained injuries from this fire and were taken to the hospital for treatment. 13 people are displaced from their homes.

Then, around 4 a.m., the fire department shared that crews responded to the 5000 block of Hazel Avenue as a fire tore through a three-story rowhome.

As crews battled the fire, the roof collapsed, officials said. One firefighter even slipped on the ice and received medical treatment at a nearby hospital.

One person in the home was also injured during the fire and was taken to the hospital. Officials said the fire was placed under control around 5 a.m.

Then, just after 6:30 a.m., officials said crews responded to a report of a fire on the 2300 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

When crews arrived at the scene, officials said they found a fire on the second floor of a three-story rowhome. The fire was quickly brought under control.

Officials said three people are now displaced from their home, and one person sustained injuries following the fire.

The fire department shared that all the fires are under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office, who will determine the cause and origin. 

The NBC10 First Alert Weather Team said Saturday morning, wind chill temperatures were below 0° after an arctic front passed through our area. 

This dangerous cold air is here to stay all weekend long and even after the upcoming storm.