Philadelphia Officials Introduce Legislation To Encourage Landlords To Add Fire Escape Ropes Following Deadly Fairmount Fire
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia leaders are trying to prevent another tragedy like the deadly row home fire in Fairmount that left 12 people dead. They've introduced a bill that could be a lifeline for property owners and their renters.
Just two weeks and a day have passed since that early morning fire in Fairmount claimed the lives of three mothers and their nine children. They were all laid to rest on Monday.
On Thursday, we were reminded of the fire's other victims. They were lucky and blessed enough to escape with the greatest gift of all, their lives.
But in the process, they lost, everything else.
That's why the group Unity in the Community teamed up with Brightside Academy, Power 99 FM, Forman Mills, Foot Locker, Daily Dove Care, Gary Barbera and others to recreate Christmas in January since many of the victims' Christmas presents were destroyed in the fire.
The families received TVs, computers, gift cards, clothes and more. A small measure to show that they're loved and not forgotten.
Elsewhere, City Council held its first meeting of 2022, virtually. Among the new legislation proposed was a measure meant to help prevent what happened on Jan. 5.
It was read pretty quickly, but what it would do is allow property owners and landlords to claim business tax credits for the installation of fire escape rope ladders.
It's a financial incentive and more importantly, it could help to save lives.
There was no such escape ladder on the third floor of the row home, which was destroyed on North 23rd Street.
Should this legislation become law, a repeat of Jan. 5 would hopefully be prevented.
The fire escape rope ladder tax credit legislation will be discussed at a public hearing with the public safety committee.
