'I Lost My Best Friend': 20-Year-Old Man Found Dead After Fire In Rhawnhurst Home, Officials Say
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --A young man was found dead after a house fire in the Rhawnhurst section of Philadelphia, according to officials. It happened on the 7500 block of Alma Street Monday afternoon.
Family members identified the victim as 20-year-old Samuel Bell. His brother said Sammy was a very talented man.
This is the second fire-related fatality for the city in three days, so it has been a dark time for the fire department and will continue to be for the family of Bell.
A neighbor's cell phone captured flames as they poured from the charred windows of a Rhawnhurst home. As other residents of Alma Street watched, their despair poured out as well.
"I've lived here for 13 years, they are my family," one neighbor said.
Fire crews were called to the 7500 block around 4 p.m. to find the first and second floors of a multi-family home on fire. Inside, was a young man.
"Despite the great efforts of our medics here on the scene, unfortunately, by the time they were able to access him and get him out, it was too late," Philadelphia Fire Department Commissioner Adam Thiel said.
When family arrived to the scene, emotions were crippling. But Emanuel Bell did not want this scene or sudden death to define the life of his 20-year-old brother.
"Sammy, his name is well recognized in a lot of people's places and a lot of people's hearts. He's a good one and it's unfortunate to see him gone," Emanuel said.
Sammy was going back to school, but was naturally a visionary, a creator and a talented entertainer, according to his brother.
"I lost my best friend. I lost a part of my world," he said.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. It's too soon to tell if there was a working smoke detector inside the home, but the fire department reminds residents that they will provide you one for free.
