Philadelphia Firefighter Dies in Building Collapse

PHILADELPHIA — A pizzeria collapsed in Philadelphia early on Saturday morning, killing one firefighter and injuring 4 different firefighters and a metropolis constructing official, the Philadelphia Fireplace Division mentioned.

The constructing collapsed shortly earlier than 3:30 a.m., following a fireplace name that got here in a little bit earlier than 2 a.m., in keeping with Craig Murphy, a deputy commissioner of the Fireplace Division. The constructing housed Star Pizza Fish and Rooster, within the Fairhill part of North Philadelphia, a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood about three miles north of downtown that’s dominated by two- and three-story rowhouses.

Through the response to the fireplace, eight occupants of the constructing have been safely evacuated, in keeping with an announcement launched by the workplace of Mayor Jim Kenney.

The firefighter killed was recognized as Lt. Sean Williamson, 51, a 27-year veteran who had been assigned to Ladder 18 within the Searching Park part of town, the mayor’s workplace mentioned.

The 5 who have been injured have been Lt. Sylvester Burton, a fireplace marshal; Lt. Clarence Johnson; the firefighters Dennis Daly and Robert Brennan Jr.; and Thomas Rybakowski, a supervisor with town’s Division of Licenses and Inspections.

Mr. Rybakowski, Lieutenant Johnson and Lieutenant Burton have been handled and launched. Mr. Brennan and Mr. Daly have been in vital however secure situation at Temple College Hospital, the mayor’s workplace mentioned.

The collapse occurred after the fireplace was below management, when firefighters have been in search of any hidden fires and Mr. Rybakowski was assessing the constructing, Adam Okay. Thiel, commissioner of the Philadelphia Fireplace Division, mentioned at a information convention Saturday.

The constructing was final inspected in June 2020, and since that point there had been no inspections or complaints, metropolis officers mentioned.

The collapse got here “with virtually no warning,” Mr. Thiel mentioned.

Though it was unclear precisely what had brought on the construction to fall, Mr. Murphy mentioned that “the constructing was affected by hearth.”

One firefighter had jumped from the constructing to flee, Mr. Murphy mentioned. 4 folks — three firefighters and Mr. Rybakowski — have been initially trapped however shortly rescued, the mayor’s workplace mentioned.

Two different firefighters, Lieutenant Williamson and Mr. Brennan, have been trapped below particles, and firefighters started a search and rescue operation. At about 7 a.m., they have been faraway from the rubble, the mayor’s workplace mentioned. Lieutenant Williamson was pronounced useless on the scene, and Mr. Brennan was rushed to Temple Hospital.

Lieutenant Williamson, a former Marine, is survived by his mom and son, the mayor’s workplace mentioned.

“I’m not finished crying,” Mr. Thiel mentioned on the information convention.

Earlier on Saturday, after everybody had been faraway from the constructing, the scene was busy with cops, firefighters and officers from Philadelphia Fuel Works and the Division of Licenses and Inspections. Staff have been starting to load particles into vehicles, however the intersection of Third Road and West Indiana Avenue remained blocked by rubble.

Elliott Lopez, who lives close by, mentioned he was on the restaurant at round 11:30 p.m. Friday. He mentioned he was alerted to the fireplace and subsequent collapse of the constructing by a telephone name from his brother, who had seen a report of the incident on Fb.

“I used to be right here final evening, purchased a pizza, and so they’re calling me at 4 o’clock within the morning to say the pizzeria was on hearth,” mentioned Mr. Lopez, 55, standing just a few yards from the place the constructing’s rubble lay on the street. He mentioned he had arrived on the scene early Saturday to maneuver a automotive he had parked on the intersection and located that it had already been moved by emergency employees.

Rolando Cortes, 55, who has lived within the neighborhood for the reason that Nineteen Eighties and mentioned he and his spouse would typically order pizza from the store, mentioned he had arrived on the intersection at round 7:30 a.m. He mentioned he noticed rescuers eradicating the physique of the firefighter later recognized as Lieutenant Williamson.

“They put a flag over him and carried him out on a stretcher,” he mentioned.

The companies responding included the Philadelphia Workplace of Emergency Administration, the vitality firm PECO and the American Pink Cross. The Philadelphia Fireplace Division’s Fireplace Marshal’s Workplace is conducting a routine investigation into the reason for the fireplace, in keeping with an announcement launched Saturday.

Lieutenant Williamson is believed to be the primary Philadelphia firefighter to die within the line of obligation since January 2018, when Lt. Matthew LeTourneau was killed in a fireplace and constructing collapse.

Mr. Kenney, the mayor, mentioned in an announcement that every one metropolis flags can be flown at half-staff for 30 days in honor of Lieutenant Williamson. “This can be a heartbreaking day for our metropolis,” he mentioned.