PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Five people suffered minor injuries and about 100 residents have been displaced after a four-alarm fire at an apartment building in Northeast Philadelphia.
Fire officials say the blaze was reported around 4:47 p.m. Tuesday at the 9100 block of Academy Road.
“This is the most devastating thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” said a resident.
Fire officials say five people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
“A lot of stuff is still inside, the only things I got out were the kids, the animals and a few things of clothing,” said Crystal Maywhort.
She lives in the complex and told Eyewitness News she’s not sure if anything will be there when she gets home.
“It’s horrible. It’s terrible. I mean I don’t really know, I’ve never been through this before, so I don’t even know how to react to it.”
Over 100 residents are without a home.
Crews helped displaced residents get onto buses that took them to Lincoln High School where a temporary shelter was set up.
“I’m stunned, I’m speechless. I couldn’t believe it,” said neighbor Donna Elliott. “You don’t know what to feel, you don’t know what to say, it’s just, it’s so sad.”
Fire officials say the blaze was placed under control around 8:05 p.m.
Academy Road is reported closed in both directions between Holme Avenue and Grant Avenue.
The off-ramp is also reportedly closed on I-95 northbound at Academy Rd/Exit 32.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
