Norristown Councilwoman: We Must Learn From Fire Tragedy

NORRISTOWN, PA -- Norristown Councilwoman Sonya Sanders made an eloquent point in a statement she released addressing the tragic house fire on DeKalb Street that claimed four lives.

We have to learn.

It is important that we take this tragedy and turn it into a lessons learned opportunity to prevent this from happening again. The Municipality of Norristown values safe living conditions for those we serve in the community and we want residents to feel safe. If they do not, our hope is that they step forward and reach out to our Code Enforcement Department if there are concerns about their living conditions. Residents should also feel free to reach out to any member of Council or to Municipal staff if they have concerns for safety or living conditions.

The fire is currently being investigated by the Montgomery County District Attorney, Pennsylvania State Police, Norristown Fire and Police Departments, who are looking at the "circumstances surrounding the fire, according to Sanders.

It is not the first fire in which young lives have been lost in Norristown in recent months. In February, Sanford "Man Man" Harling was killed trying to rescue his father from a blaze.

Sanders went on to express her condolences to the family in her statement.

"We hope to partner with the community to ensure that we never see a similar tragedy happen," she said. "Going forward the Municipal Council and staff are exploring ways in which we can work with residents and other groups in educating and equipping residents with the knowledge, tools and resources they need to protect their families."

A GoFundMe campaign for the children who died has been launched here.

Image courtesy Norristown Fire Department.