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Crews Battle Three-Alarm Fire In Warehouse In North Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Heavy smoke filled the air as fire crews responded to a three-alarm abandoned warehouse fire in North Philadelphia Saturday morning.

It was 6 a.m. when fire crews responded to an abandoned two story building along the 1800 block of West Sedgley Avenue. Heavy smoke filled the air and flames were shooting out of this former auto repair shop. And with crews battling the blaze, Fire commissioner Lloyd Ayers says it's fortunate no one was hurt.

"We had numerous explosions. You can see where a wall has been blown out by those explosions."

Ayers says propane tanks exploded but again no fire fighters or residents were injured.

Twenty homes had to be evacuated as the Red Cross helped some residents displaced because of smoke.

Ayers saying the homes should be okay along with a welding shop next door. And the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

"It's unsafe. And we hear explosions going off, that's going to prompt us and the fire marshal to take a closer look at this property."

The fire was placed under control at 9:30 a.m.

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