PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Four firefighters and another person have been treated for injuries and taken to a hospital, after a fire truck crashed through a building as the result of a collision involving at least three vehicles.
At least two of the firefighters had to be pulled from the building.
It happened just after 4 p.m. at the corner of Seventh Street and Girard Avenue.
According to Philadelphia police, the fire truck was responding to a house fire at Dauphin and Front streets and had its sirens and lights on when the crash happened. At least three other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Ben Smith says he was walking down Franklin Street near Girard when he witnesses what happened next.
"The fire truck...was responding to a call. A sliver car shot through the light and the fire truck turned to avoid hitting him," said Smith. The truck then smashed into the building.
A large amount of the structure of the building's first floor was taken out by the fire truck.
Crews are concerned about the possibility that the residential building could collapse if the truck is removed without other steps being taken to secure the building.
"Structural engineers are assessing the building. They'll tell us," Assistant Fire Chief Charles Walker said.
Three other vehicles were found with severe damage near the scene of the crash on Girard. One person who was inside a vehicle was among the injured.
There was no initial word on the severity of any injuries. No one inside the building was injured, according to the Philadelphia Fire Department.
Traffic was jammed in the area due to police blocking Girard Avenue between Fifth and Eighth streets for the investigation. They cleaned up car parts and other materials which were scattered on the ground.
The Salvation Army was on the scene to help any displaced residents.
Check back for more details on this breaking story as they come in to us, and listen to KYW Newsradio for the latest.