Philadelphia Officials Blame Careless Smoking For Fatal Fire

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Fire officials blamed careless smoking for a fire that killed a 45-year-old man in his South Philadelphia apartment.

The fire started in a sofa in the living room of Gerald Whiting's third-floor apartment, and was confined to Whiting's apartment, fire officials said. Firefighters arrived at 11:38 p.m. and the fire was brought under control in 13 minutes.

Firefighters evacuated more than a dozen residents from the three-story brick and stucco building. Whiting was found dead in the kitchen of his apartment, officials said.