Germantown apartment building fire sends dozens out into the cold

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The fire marshal's office in Philadelphia is trying to get to the bottom of a late-night fire at a Germantown apartment building that left several people hurt and dozens displaced. 

When fire broke out on the third floor of the Morris Manor Apartments at around 11:30 Monday night, there was a scramble to get out, Mark, a resident, told CBS 3 Eyewitness News.

Fire at the Morris Manor Apartments in Germantown left 3 hurt and dozens forced out into the bitter cold. Cars and the road are covered in ice. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/gLP0zC7DqP

"The alarms went off, and someone was running through the hallways knocking on doors telling everybody there's a lot of smoke, get out of the building," he said.

"It's really bad in there," he said at the time. "There are a lot of elderly people. People trying to escape the smoke and get out. It's a bad situation.""

Fire officials say at least three people were taken to the hospital. Officials ahve not yet released their conditions.

Several cars, including this one, were parked in front of the Morris Manor apartment building where the fire broke out last night. They're completely covered in ice. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/0LrYu70Csq

The Red Cross says it helped 35 people who were forced out of their homes. To stay warm, they were on SEPTA buses before going to a shelter set up at Central High, where they were connected with resources they need.

After the flames were out and smoke cleared, the remaining problem was ice. The water used to battle the fire froze on every surface it touched: sidewalks, trees, cars. 

Venita Brown's car, parked in front of the burned apartment units, left encased in an icy shell. 

"I wish I would have driven and parked my car somewhere else," she said. 

Now, instead, she has to clean up and wait for her car to thaw out.

Incredible. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/9W7z5uVWGx

Pieces of debris outside of the Morris Manor apartments. Not sure what this is from, but it offers a glimpse of what's important to someone who lives in the building. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/H4sVqgtBrj