PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Several houses in Northeast Philadelphia caught fire early Monday afternoon.
KYW Newsradio partner NBC 10 captured aerial images of thick smoke pouring out of five homes on the 4700 block of Salem Street in the Frankford neighborhood.
The Philadelphia Fire Department said that the fire began at about 12:30 p.m., with a second alarm declared at about 12:40 p.m. More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene.
"The companies got here within two minutes," Philadelphia Fire Capt. Derek Bowmer told KYW Newsradio's Michelle Durham. "They did an excellent job. We have highly-trained firefighters, the best in the business.
Engine 14 was part of several companies that were decommissioned in 2009, but reopened about a decade later.
The fire department said that the fire was under control at about 1:30 p.m., and no one was injured.
Nine or 10 people were displaced and being helped by Red Cross members, according to Bowmer.
Nine or 10 people were displaced and being helped by Red Cross members, according to Bowmer.
Fire officials tell our partners at NBC10 one person was found dead on the first floor of the home, and someone else who lived there jumped out to safety.
There have been at least 40 deaths related to fires this year according to Bowmer, who says Philadelphia has a fire problem. He strongly encouraged all Philadelphia residents to call 311 if they need working smoke alarms for their home.
"We have a fire problem in the city," said Bowmer. "The problem will always be there unless we all get together as partners in collaboration to get smoke alarms in your house, to have a fire escape plan."
