Philadelphia firefighter killed in building to collapse which trapped five others

✔ Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk

By Samantha Allen

Published: June 18, 2022 | 5:20 PM

A Philadelphia firefighter was murdered when a building collapsed due to a fire, trapping five others inside.

Firefighters from the Philadelphia Fire Department responded to a fire in a commercial structure in the Fairhill area early Saturday morning.

Within 15 minutes, the fire was out, and a family inside was able to escape without injury.

However, 90 minutes later, while officials were surveying the damage, the structure collapsed, trapping five firefighters and a construction inspector inside.

The body of a fellow Philadelphia firefighter who perished in a house fall on Saturday is carried by firefighters.

First responders work to reach firefighters trapped in a house collapse early on Saturday morning

Officials say initially they rescued four people but worked for hours to find and rescue the remaining two people after losing contact

After rescuing him from the rubble of the collapsed commercial building, firefighters are seen carrying the body of a fellow Philadelphia firefighter.

It was a ‘lean-to/pancake collapse,’ according to 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy, in which some crumbled debris landed flat on a surface while other material leaned against a wall, creating room.

Murphy told CNN, “There were a lot of blank places.”

Officials say initially they rescued four people but worked for hours to find and rescue the remaining two people after losing contact.

First responders worked for hours to reach all six people, including five fire fighters and one building inspector

Four firefighters and a city licensing and inspections worker were eventually rescued and sent to a local hospital.

However, one firefighter died in the collapse, an unidentified 27-year veteran of the department.

‘For the Philadelphia Fire Department, it’s a terrible day,’ Murphy added. ‘Unfortunately, a member of our department was killed while heroically fighting a fire and subsequently being trapped in a building collapse.’

Commissioner Murphy said the license worker had been released and the four firefighters were hospitalized in stable condition as of Saturday morning.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is not believed to be suspicious.

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About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.