2 Injured In Fire At Northeast Philly Duplex
By Jerricka Duncan and Mike Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Two people were injured Saturday after a two-alarm fire broke out in the garage of a Northeast Philadelphia Duplex.
The fire occurred just before noon on the 9300-block of Jamison Avenue in a development just off of Bustleton Avenue. The fire was placed under control in about 30 minutes, according to officials.
Fire officials say there were no rescues, but everyone made it out alive.
"I believe the smoke alarm is what alerted the occupants to get out in a calmly manner," Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer said. "The good thing is they got out and they stayed out. A lot of times we have occupants that try to go back in the building to put the fire out."
Two residents were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, including the owner of the home. Neighbors tell CBS3 Eyewitness News two pets died in the fire as well.
Fire officials say they believe the fire started in the garage of the duplex.
Three people lived in the front of the building and two residents lived in the back section of the home. After the fire, there was very little left of the unit.
"They're homeless, completely. They don't have anything," says Vera Bealick, who is the sister of one of the residents. "It's just terrible. I don't know how they will survive that."
The Red Cross was at the scene helping the displaced residents. Neighbors helped clean up what they could Saturday afternoon, removing the few things left behind that are salvageable.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
