Crime & Safety

In Photos: Devastating Philadelphia Row House Blaze Killed 12

The fire, which broke out in Philadelphia's Fairmount section resulted in the deaths of eight children and four adults.

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Soot covers the exterior wall of the building of Wednesday's fatal fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, Thursday. Officials say it's the city's deadliest single fire in at least a century.
Soot covers the exterior wall of the building of Wednesday's fatal fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, Thursday. Officials say it's the city's deadliest single fire in at least a century. (Matt Rourke/AP)

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Residents in Philadelphia's Fairmount section woke up Thursday with investigators trying to determine the cause of a row house fire that is considered the most deadly fire in at least 100 years in the city.

Authorities say eight children and four adults died after a fire broke out during the early-morning hours Wednesday at 869 N. 23rd St.

Eight other people were able to escape the fire, officials said.

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As previously reported by Patch, First Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy said the fire marshal's office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are investigating the cause of the fire, though it's not necessarily considered suspicious.

Here are photos from the fire, and the ATF's investigation.

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Philadelphia firefighters and police work at the scene of a deadly row house fire, Wednesday in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. (Matt Rourke/AP)
People gather to pay their respects after a deadly row house fire Wednesday in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. (Matt Rourke/AP
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is seen after he talked with fire and police officials at the scene of a deadly row house fire, Wednesday in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. (Alejandro A. Alvarez/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
A person wipes their face at the scene of a deadly row house fire, Wednesday in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. Crews responded in the early morning and saw flames shooting from the second-floor front windows of the home. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Investigators photograph the scene of Wednesday's fatal fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, Thursday. (Matt Rourke/AP)
A response vehicle is parked near the scene of Wednesday's deadly fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia., Thursday. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Officials pass flowers and other items left in memory of victims of Wednesday's fatal fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia on Thursday. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Investigators gather near the entrance to the building of Wednesday's fatal fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, Thursday. (Matt Rourke/AP)

A passer-by looks over the barricade on the street of Wednesday's deadly fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia on Thursday. (Matt Rourke/AP)

Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney pauses while speaking at a news conference near the scene of a deadly row house fire, Wednesday in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. Officials say firefighters and police responded to the fire at a three-story rowhouse early Wednesday around 6:40 a.m. and found flames coming from the second-floor windows. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Officials walk near the scene of Wednesday's deadly fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia on Thursday. (Matt Rourke/AP
Officials gather by a response vehicle near the scene of Wednesday's deadly fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia on Thursday. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Investigators gather near the entrance to the building of Wednesday's fatal fire in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, Thursday. (Matt Rourke/AP)

An unidentified woman reacts at the scene of a deadly row house fire, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. (Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
People gather near the scene of a deadly row house fire, Wednesday in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. (Matt Rourke/AP)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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