Philly Firefighter Injured in Fatal Rowhouse Blaze

A 70-year-old man was killed and a firefighter was injured in a fire that tore through a rowhouse in Kensington early today.

The firefighter, who is assigned to Ladder 3 and suffered burns to his left leg, was reported in stable condition at Temple University Hospital.

Fire crews were alerted to the blaze in the three-story rowhouse about 12:10 a.m., officials said.

The fire, which appeared to start in the first floor, spread quickly, spread quickly but was soon brought under control. Firefighters found body of the man in a second floor middle room of the house, officials said.

Medics pronounced him dead at the scene at 12:58 a.m. His name has not been released.

Fire Department Battalion Chief Anthony Hudgins said the unit had a smoke alarm, but the battery was not properly installed.

It was the city's 28th fire death of the year.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service