Francisville Fire: Philadelphia FD Brings Hours-Long Blaze Under Control
A two-alarm fire in Philadelphia’s Francisville section has been extinguished after burning for five hours, leaving residents displaced and causing power outages.
A building in Philadelphia’s Francisville section was engulfed in flames for approximately five hours on Monday before the fire was finally brought under control. The Philadelphia Fire Department (FD) dispatched around 100 firefighters to the scene, located at Ridge Avenue and Francis Street. The blaze resulted in the displacement of residents and power outages in the area. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Swift Response from Firefighters
Firefighters were able to respond swiftly to the Francisville fire due to the fire station’s close proximity to the scene. Ladder 1, which had just reopened, was the first to arrive after a resident alerted them to the fire. Deputy Fire Commissioner Derek Bowmer explained, “They were first on the scene. Someone knocked on the door and said they had a fire in the building here, so of course, we were here in 30 seconds.”
Intense Efforts to Extinguish the Blaze
To combat the fire, firefighters climbed onto the roof of the building and utilized a drone to pinpoint areas that required water spray. The fire produced thick smoke, which could be seen rising into the sky from a distance. Chopper 3 captured the plume of dark smoke, which spanned three buildings before dissipating. Despite the intensity of the blaze, no firefighters or residents sustained injuries.
Displacement and Support for Residents
The Francisville fire resulted in the displacement of an unknown number of residents. The Red Cross is currently providing assistance, including housing and other resources such as mental health and spiritual services. The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management is also involved in providing temporary housing for those affected by the fire.
Impact on Surrounding Buildings and Power Outages
While the fire spread to a neighboring building, no other properties were damaged. However, the blaze caused power outages in the vicinity, affecting 128 PECO customers. As of now, it remains uncertain when power will be fully restored.
Eyewitness Accounts and Evacuation
Eyewitnesses near the scene described the plume of smoke as obstructing the view of the skyline. Some residents in the area decided to leave due to the smoke conditions and power outage. Larry Bryant, a resident of the building where the fire originated, recounted his experience, stating, “I came to the door, opened the door, and I saw smoke in the hallway.”
Conclusion:
The Francisville fire in Philadelphia has been brought under control after a five-hour battle by approximately 100 firefighters. The swift response from the fire station across the street played a crucial role in containing the blaze. Although the fire resulted in the displacement of residents and power outages, no injuries were reported. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, while the Red Cross and the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management are providing support and resources to those affected. As the community recovers from this incident, the focus now shifts to rebuilding and addressing the needs of the displaced residents.