Officials: 4 dead, including 3 children after rowhome fire in Kensington Sunday

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Four people are dead after a house fire in Philadelphia’s Kensington section early Sunday morning.

The fire broke out shortly after 2:00 a.m. on the 3200 block of Hartville Street.

Officials say firefighters arrived to heavy flames coming out of the home.

But not much was left once they arrived.

Derek Bowmer, the executive officer of the Philadelphia Fire Department, said three juveniles and one adult male are dead as a result of the blaze.

“Our men and women of the fire department did a valiant effort to try and make saves here. Unfortunately, we have a tragedy ending this morning,” Bowmer said.

A 38-year-old woman was able to escape the flames and jumped out a window. She was taken to Temple University Hospital to be treated for burns.

According to Principal Charlotte Gillum-Maddox, who spoke at a press conference held by fire officials Sunday afternoon, two of the children attended Lewis Elkin Elementary School.

One a third grader, and the other was in kindergarten.

Gillum-Maddox and several teachers came by to show their support for the family.

“They are our babies, and on a Sunday, we are here with the family comforting them to make sure anything that’s needed, they will see to it,” said Gillum-Maddox.

Action News spoke with neighbor Angle Rivera who says the mom, who officials identified as a 38-year-old woman, was the only one to survive.

She reportedly escaped the flames by jumping out a window.

But Rivera says he lost his best friend in the fire.

“I said, ‘Where’s my best friend? Are you kidding? Are you sure he’s back there? Because the house is on fire. I can’t go in there,” said neighbor Angel Rivera.

Rivera says he spoke to the woman before she was taken to the hospital. He described her body as being badly burned.

“He told her to make yourself out. Basically jump out the window, and I’ll go out with the kids. Those were his last words,” said Rivera as he described his conversation with the woman.

Rivera was distraught and couldn’t make sense of the tragedy on his block.

A woman told Action News her husband is the man’s brother who didn’t make it. He was too shaken up to speak.

“Life is short, you know, so if you do got kids out there, hug them. Treasure them because you never know,” Rivera said.

Officials say the house did not have working smoke detectors.

They encourage anyone who does not have working smoke detectors to please call 311. They will come out and install them.

School officials at Lewis Elkin Elementary started a GoFundMe page for the family. Gillum-Maddox says donations will help the mom with funeral services and anything else she needs.

“If you can donate to that GoFundMe, I know that it will directly; I promise you it will go directly to those families.”

The school is now partnering with the Philadelphia Fire Department’s prevention unit to ensure all of their students have lessons on fire prevention and fire safety.