2 Jump to Escape Flames, 20 Displaced as
Rowhomes Burn in Southwest Philadelphia, PA
Friday, Jan 2, 2015 • Updated at 11:45 PM EST
A man and woman jumped from their homes to escape the
intense flames of a blaze that tore down a Southwest Philadelphia street Friday
night.
The fire that started around 9 p.m. spread to three
houses along the 2200 block of S. 68th Street, fire officials tell NBC10.
Fire shot into the night sky from the front and back
windows of one rowhome as firefighters worked to break ventilation holes in the
roof and knock back the flames.
A 70-year-old man and 32-year-old woman leapt from a
second floor window to escape the fire, officials said.
Both were taken to the the Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania. He broke his femur and she had leg pain, fire officials
said.
A third person was also hospitalized after suffering
unknown injuries in the fire.
Police and firefighters first to arrive on the scene
rescued residents from at least one home, officials said.
All three homes were gutted by the blaze and 20 people,
including families with children, have been displaced. Fifteen homes were left
without power.
The American Red Cross is responding to the scene to
help the residents.