PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Fire Department is investigating the cause of a two-alarm blaze in Kensington Monday afternoon that destroyed a multi-use warehouse building that included three small businesses.
"The building has been destroyed by fire," Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Gallagher said. There were no injuries, but the building was occupied at the time, he said.
"There were approximately seven occupants. They were safely evacuated."
The fire started just before noon. More than 100 firefighters and EMS personnel responded. By 2 p.m., firefighters had brought it under control. The smoke was still thick as firefighters continued to pour water on what they call "hot spots" to make sure there was no fire left in the walls.
The multi-use building on North Second Street, near West Huntingdon Street, housed several businesses — a newly rehabbed furniture store, an active automotive repair shop and a newly constructed gaming store, where neighborhood kids have been hanging out since summer vacation started.
"It sounded like a bomb. Then flames. And then gone. It's devastating," said Sharay Redmon, who lives right down the street.
"Put so much effort into rebuilding his furniture spa and, just in a matter of 45 minutes, it's all gone."
Officials said air quality around the decimated structure was an issue at one point, but that was cleared up by mid-afternoon. Now they are just working to determine just what caused this devastating fire.
CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this story, Philadelphia police had said that the property was vacant at the time of the fire
