Philadelphia Daily News (Pennsylvania)
PHILADELPHIA — A seven-alarm fire in a vacant Juniata Park warehouse yesterday displaced 20 people and left 30 homes without power, officials said.
The blaze broke out inside the warehouse on Adams Avenue near Ruan Street at 2:48 a.m., said Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers. Shortly after 4 a.m., the blaze spread and it wasn't until about 7:30 a.m. that firefighters were able to bring it under control.
One of the biggest challenges was being able to quickly evaluate the situation and bring people to safety, Ayers said.
"Then, after containing the fire and getting the citizens in this large area out of harm's way, it was about trying to save as much property as we could," Ayers said.
No injuries were reported, Ayers added. Some 30 homes remained without power late yesterday, said Michael Wood, a Peco spokesman.
Wood said they would remain without power at least until today because the fire severely damaged aerial lines and transformers.
About 3:45 a.m., the Red Cross opened a comfort center for families at the Frances Hopkinson Elementary School on L Street near Luzerne. Seven homes were damaged by the fire, said Denise Venuti Free, of the Red Cross.
"Of those seven homes, we've heard from five families, twenty people total," Venuti Free said.
Those 20 people will be provided with shelter, food, money for clothing and emotional support, Venuti Free added. The fire marshal is still determining what sparked the blaze, Ayers said.
Copyright 2008 Philadelphia Daily News
