Philadelphia Fire Kills Three

Feb. 28, 2006
At one point fire, officials said that it appeared that the mother would be saved, but the flames were just too powerful

A house fire in Philadelphia turned deadly for a Kensington family overnight.

Video: Fire Kills 3

Slideshow: Images From Scene

Fire crews remain on Coral Street where Eddie Rhoads, 24, and his wife Samantha, 26 and their 6-year-old son, Jacob, died in the blaze.

At one point fire, officials said that it appeared that the mother would be saved, but the flames were just too powerful.

Family members consoled each other as they learned the worst possible news.

"While they are making the attempt to save her, fire breaks out of the second floor window with the firefighters on the ladder," said Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers. "They stayed as long as they can. They have to get off the ladder or else they are going to be in trouble."

When firefighters finally got to the third floor, she along with her husband and 6-year-old boy had died.

Two other people, the husband's brother and his girlfriend, jumped out. They were taken to a hospital with survivable injuries.

"They are good people," said one relative. "My cousin always had a smile . They were nice to everybody."

The couple's young daughter was staying with her grandmother.

Copyright 2006 by NBC10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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