Monday, February 16, 2015

ICE FORMS AS CREWS BATTLE FLAMES IN 3-STORY BUILDING IN WEST PHILLY














FEBRUARY 16, 2015




PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA:




Firefighters battled flames and ice in a two alarm building blaze in West Philadelphia early Monday morning.




The fire was reported around 4:45 a.m. at the Locust Medical Center on the 200 block of South 52nd Street.




The upper floors were reportedly empty and slated for renovation, but neighbors had to be evacuated.




"It looked like a whole block on fire," said Aaron Ruffin.




A fire in West Philadelphia on Monday left buildings covered in ice as the water used by firefighters froze on contact. 




Water from the fire hoses combined with cold temperatures caused some major ice problems for crews.




Video from Chopper 6 HD and the Action Cam showed ice covering not only the site of the fire, but also power lines, utility poles and neighboring buildings.




The weight of all that ice added another factor that firefighters had to account for.




"So we have to be careful about the collapse of the building," said Chief Kamau Bright.




So far, there is no word on what sparked the blaze.