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Nutter on Deadly Blaze: 'We Lost 4 Precious Lives'

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Mayor Michael Nutter says he is in great pain after a quick-moving blaze tore through a southwest Philadelphia block overnight Saturday, killing four children and displacing 32 others.

Nutter described how he hoped the kids who perished in the fire -- twin sisters 4-year-old Maria Bowah and 4-year-old Marialla Bowah, 1-month-old Taj Jacque and 4-year-old Patrick Sanyeah -- did not suffer.

"I can only pray that their pain was not long and they did not truly feel and experience the intensity of this fire and flames," he said.

The blaze broke out around 2:45 a.m., sending neighbors running to a nearby fire station while others called 911. The 3-alarm fire spread to eight homes before firefighters were able to get it under control.

During the press conference, Nutter said he was not yet ready to address questions about what caused the fire and instead emphasized the need to support the families of those killed, as well as those displaced by the blaze.



Photo Credit: Sarah Glover

How to Help Victims of Fatal Fire

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Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the Red Cross of Southeastern Pa., spoke at a press conference Saturday about the recovery efforts following the massive fire that killed four children.

Hughes said the Red Cross arrived at the scene soon after firefighters to address the needs of the family. They brought out mental health volunteers and spiritual care volunteers to work directly with the families to address their initial trauma.

They also set up a reception center in which families were able to come and they began to make plans for recovery. 23 people displaced by the fire are staying at the Red Cross House to begin their recovery.

If you would like to assist the Red Cross help the victims of this fatal fire, or other tragedies in the area, visit redcrossphilly.org to make a donation.

Watch the video to find out all the ways you can assist the victims and their families.



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Horrific Tragedy in Southwest Philly: Fire Comm.

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Philadelphia Fire Department Commissioner Derrick Sawyer said his crews fought their hardest despite the quick-moving blaze that killed four small children.

The fire broke out Saturday morning in Southwest Philadelphia on the 6500 block of Gesner Street. The fire destroyed 8 rowhomes and displaced more than 32 people along with taking the lives of the four kids -- 4-year-old twin sisters Maria Bowah and Marialla Bowah, 1-month-old Taj Jacque and 4-year-old Patrick Sanyeah.

Sawyer spoke at a press conference on the scene following the fire along with Mayor Michael Nutter. Sawyer called the fire a "horrific tragedy on the street" and said that "hearts are heavy." 

Watch the video above to hear all that he had to say.

On Gesner Street, Shock & Sorrow

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Gesner Street's soul is gone.

Half of the tree-less one-block street, lined with rowhomes with white and brown porches and sandwiched between 66th and 67th Streets in Southwest Philadelphia, is a shell of its former self. A fast-moving blaze destroyed the homes of 32 people and ripped away four of its youngest residents.

"They were the sweetest kids, a little shy but sweet," said neighbor Tameka Harrinton as she stood across the street from the eight charred structures. "The fire moved too fast. It was too late to warn people. There was nothing I could do but watch it burn."

The early Saturday morning blaze burned so intensely that parts of Ali Altidor's green Subuaru Forrester melted. The car was parked across the street from the homes, the side-panel left hanging like taffy from the car's chassis. But all he could think about were 4-year-old twins Maria and Marialla Bowah, 1-year-old Taj Jacque and 4-year-old Patrick Sanyeah.

"I just saw the kids two days prior running up and down the street and happy," he said. 

Behind his Subaru, siding on the upper A-frame of several houses mimics the car's side-panel. It's hard to find a home untouched by the flames -- physically, emotionally or both.

Those neighbors, many who have immigrated from Liberia, sit on their stoops and porches and cry as they stare down the ruins. Gawkers broke their gaze as they walk by to catch a glimpse at the damage.

Feet away, church officials and community leaders offered food and clothing to those affected outside the Christ International Baptist Church, which anchors the block's northwestern corner.

As the day dragged on, the shock of the loss set in. A steady stream of tears flowed as family members of the victims and those who lost their homes returned. Many stood in circles, held hands and prayed for the children's souls.

A memorial for the boys was placed feet from where they died -- in the basement of 6518 Gesner St. Photos of the boys and Spiderman and Iron Man balloons, Taj and Patrick's favorite, created a stark pop of red, white and blue on a canvas of blackened wood. A speed limit sign reading, "Drive Carefully, Watch Children," stands across from the home.

"It's their home, it's their home," said the boy's uncle Preston Jacque. He fought back tears and forced a smile as he surveyed the scene. "It killed all of them."

A woman, another relative of the children, paced up and down the street overcome by grief. "All four are dead. They all died in one day," she yelled out before being dragged away crying.

Some homeowners pushed past orange warning signs that had been stapled to their front door by city inspectors. They wanted to see the damage for themselves and gather whatever belongings they could.

Tamba S. Lebbie was one of them. He carried out suitcases full of his belongings, only 12 hours after jumping from a second floor window in the back of his house. The drop left him with a nasty cut to his right leg.

"We had to bust the window and jump from there," he said before thanking his nephew for waking him. "It was a horror. No one knew where the fire was coming from."

Lebbie said he was traumatized, but thankful he made it out alive. His home was four down from where the fire began. Tonight, he's joining his neighbors at the Red Cross House -- replacing his bed for one there. But he's not planning to return to the block he's called home for six years. The loss is just too much to bear.

"I want to move far away from here," he said.



Photo Credit: Sarah Glover

4 Children Killed in Massive Fire

2 Dead in Head-On Crash

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A driver fled the scene of one accident, only to be involved in a deadly crash moments later.

Police say a 53-year-old man from Garnet Valley rear-ended a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu driven by 66-year-old Beverly McCaskill while she was stopped at a traffic light on Naamans Road at Marsh Road in Wilmington, Del. around 2:30 p.m.

 

As McCaskill was calling 911, the Garnet Valley man got out of his 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass and began yelling at her, according to authorities.

He then got back in his car and fled the scene at a high speed, heading southbound on Marsh Road, according to reports.

Less than a mile away, the man crossed over the center line in the roadway while taking a right curve. His car struck a cement wall and guardrail, then skidded back into the northbound lane and directly into the path of a 2003 Chevrolet Impala, which was being driven by a 68-year-old Wilmington man.

The 68-year-old slammed on his brakes, but the last-second efforts were not enough to avoid the Garnet Valley man's vehicle.

The two cars collided head-on in the northbound lane of Marsh Road near Millers Road, according to officials. The impact spun both vehicles.

The men were transported to Christiana Medical Center, where they were both pronounced dead.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the crash, but police say neither man was wearing a seat belt when the accident occurred.

Officials shut down Marsh Road between Naamans Road and Harvey Road for about three hours after the accident.

McCaskill was uninjured in the initial crash.

NBC10 First Alert: Warm and Stormy Week Ahead

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After a beautiful Sunday, we're in for a warmup and storms during the week.

Photo Credit: NBC10.com

6 Displaced, Firefighter Hospitalized in Rowhome Fire

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A faulty electrical cord is to blame for a 2-alarm fire that spread to three homes in Trenton Sunday morning.

The cord sparked a fire at a home on the 400 block of Grand Street shortly before 7 a.m. The fire started on the second floor of the house before spreading to two adjacent rowhomes.

Responding firefighters brought the flames under control at 7:34 a.m. Six people were displaced from the homes but none of the residents were injured.

Officials say one firefighter was taken to the hospital and treated for dehydration.

The Red Cross is currently assisting the displaced residents.


 


Independence Day Weekend Events

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No Tipping at New Philly Restaurant

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Restaurateurs Cristian Mora and chef Brian Oliveira are hoping their new business model will create a better quality of life for both their employees and patrons.

Girard Brasserie and Bruncherie, which is slated to open at the unfinished site of Girard and Marlboro in September, will boast a sense of European flare—in both flavor and style.

The restaurant will be adopting the European style of offering servers higher hourly wages but will not promote tipping. Customers shouldn’t expect to pay more than the price of their meal, but may tip extra if they’ve received stellar service.

“No tips” may have its benefits. Servers will make $11 dollars an hour, and get paid time off, paid sick days, and health benefits—all at the expense of the restaurant.

“It’s in everyone’s interest that restaurant workers have sick days,” Mora said. Read more about this story on PBJ.com.

For more breaking business news go to PBJ.com



Photo Credit: Philadelphia Business Journal

Driver Tries to Run Over Off-Duty Officer: Police

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An off-duty officer opened fire after a driver allegedly tried to run him over.

The off-duty housing authority officer was involved in an argument with four men inside a white car on 8th and Lombard Streets around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to investigators.

One of the men inside the car allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at the officer, asking him what the problem was. Officials say the officer then pulled out his own gun and identified himself.

The driver of the white car then attempted to run the officer over, according to police. The officer fired several shots, striking the front windshield of the car.

Philadelphia bike patrol officers responded to the scene and managed to apprehend the four suspects on 6th and Bainbridge streets after they became stuck in traffic. The men were then taken into police custody. Officials have not yet revealed their identities or the specific charges against them.

No one was injured during the incident. Police continue to investigate.
 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Donations Pouring in for Victims of Fatal Fire

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L&I officials searched through the charred wreckage on 65th and Gesner Street a day after a devastating fire took away four young lives and changed a Southwest Philly community forever.

One-month-old Taj Jacque and his older brother, Patrick Sanyeah, along with twin sisters Maria and Marialla Bowah perished in the massive blaze, which engulfed the 6500 block of Gesner Street early Saturday.

The family of the two boys are questioning the fire department's response time. Patrick Sanyeah, the father of 4-year-old Patrick Sanyeah, believes more could have been done to save the children. 

"I never got to say goodbye. They could've saved his life," said Sanyeah. "I need some answers."

After L&I officials left, a building restoration crew arrived on the block to make their own observations on Sunday. Meanwhile, many of the residents stayed inside their homes as their street remained blocked off by police barricades. Others attended Christ International Baptist Church on the corner of 65th and Gesner, trying to make sense of the tragedy and gain some sort of peace.

Both Christ International and the community support center at Connell Park at 65th and Elmwood are taking donated items.

Later during the day, around 5 p.m., local ministers plan to walk through the neighborhood to help the residents. They will also host a rally and prayer service. On Monday, Red Cross officials, the Philadelphia Fire Department and other groups will hand out fire safety materials to residents on the block.

Sunday's eerie calm was a stark contrast to the scene more than 24 hours earlier. Witnesses tell NBC10 they heard firecrackers go off around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday. They then noticed a yellow glow that quickly turned into a full-fledged fire, engulfing a couch on the porch of 6516 Gesner St.

One witness, Jeff Boone, says he called 911 and ran screaming down the street to wake up his neighbors. He was making his way to the firehouse just around the corner when he heard cries for help from young children trapped inside 6518 Gesner St.

"I heard them in there screaming," Boone said. "The flames were so high and intense that I couldn't go over there."

Inside the home was 41-year-old Dewen "Marie" Bowah, who was watching her twin girls, Maria and Marialla, their siblings Naomi Bowah, Julie Bowah and Julisa Bowah, and babysitting Taj and Patrick. As fire spread through the house, Dewen helped Naomi, Julie and Julisa escape by leaping through a second-floor window. She was unable to reach the remaining four children however.

"She tried to take the kids," Dewen's niece, Nudde Saya said. "But the fire was everywhere, so she threw the oldest kids out the window and she jumped out the window."

One by one, the wooden porches on the two-story rowhomes went up in flames. Cars parked across the street melted from the heat and windows became disfigured.

Located about a block away, Ladder 4 Engine 40 arrived at the scene about three minutes after the call went out at 2:45 a.m., according to Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer.

"It was a tough fire fight. Heavy heat and smoke conditions," said Sawyer, who added that the call initially came in as a rubbish fire.

"They tried to contain the fire to the four homes," he continued. "But at some point, the fire extended to eight homes."

Neighbors said the street turned chaotic as they along with responding police and firefighters tried to determine whether people were inside the homes. By the time the flames were brought under control, eight homes were destroyed and the lives of four children were lost.

"We lost four precious lives, four little, innocent children in a horrific tragedy on this street," Mayor Michael Nutter said during a press conference on Saturday. "I feel a great pain."

Four others, including Dewen, and the mother of Taj and Patrick, 23-year-old Eleanor Jacque, were taken to the hospital. Dewen is in critical condition at Crozier Chester Medical Center.

The conditions of Jacque and the other two victims who were hospitalized is unknown.

The deadly blaze displaced 42 others, according to the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

While fire officials are investigating claims from witnesses that the fire was sparked by a firecracker, the official cause has not yet been determined.

Financial assistance for items like food,clothing, shoes and medications was requested by 32 of those displaced. Eighteen are staying at the Red Cross House, a short-term recovery center in Philadelphia's University City neighborhood.

Victims of the fire who have not yet come forward to contact the Red Cross at 215-299-4889. Anyone who wants to donate should call 1-800-Red Cross or visit the Red Cross website. 



Photo Credit: Sarah Glover

2-Year-Old Struck by Vehicle

OC Beach Patrol Extends Summer Hours

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A 14-year-old Philadelphia boy went missing in the water off Ocean City, New Jersey last week. Corinthian Hammond and a group of friends were swimming near the Music Pier about 7:00 p.m. Sunday when they were pulled further out into the ocean by a rip current. Authorities saved 14 people -- those friends who had been swimming and those Good Samaritans who jumped in the water to help -- after regular lifeguard duty hours.

The loss was particularly hard for the Ocean City Beach Patrol as the search was called off the day after the boy went missing. The loss of the young boy is not directly related to the OCBP's announcement this past weekend that they are extending summer lifeguard hours. 

"We are in the life-saving business and it's very disappointing when we see somebody get hurt," said OCBP Chief Thomas Mullineaux.

Starting Monday, the Ocean City Beach Patrol will expand its OCBP After Hours program. From now until Labor Day, lifeguards will be on duty at the 8th Street, 9th Street, & 12th Street beaches until 8:00 p.m. every night of the week.

A Rapid Response Team will be stationed at 12th St. Beach Patrol Headquarters.

The after hours operation will operate as a lifesaving unit after normal hours and Central Communications will alert the Rapid Response Team when 911 calls for water rescues come in.

The Ocean City Beach Patrol strongly urges that swimming only takes place at guarded beaches.

Police believe that a body found in the water last week was that of the missing teen. Autopsy results are pending.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

IMAGES: Historic Waterside Summer Photos

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Whether in rivers, pools, or beaches, people escape the summer heat in the cool waters throughout the years.

Photo Credit: Library of Congress

Possible Heat Wave to Start Off the Week

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Are you ready for a heat wave? The Philadelphia region is coming off a lovely Fourth of July holiday weekend. Get ready. Things are going to heat up at the start of this week with a possible heat wave in the forecast.

The NBC10 First Alert Weather team is tracking high temperatures that are expected starting Monday. Ninety-degree temperatures three days in a row constitutes a heat wave.

"We are definitely going to go back to a possible heat wave, which would be heat wave number two," said NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Tedd Florendo. 

"Thunderstorms are back in the forecast midweek again although not as severe as last week. Humidity will also be present but also not as oppressive as last week."

On Monday, the temperature may reach 93 degrees. It will get even hotter Tuesday at 94 degrees and Wednesday is looking like it may reach 91 degrees. If so, this week would make heat wave number two this year.

 

 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

1 Dead, 1 Critical After Car Crashes Into City Building

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A man has died and another was left critically hurt after the car they were in slammed into the wall of a Philadelphia Streets Department building early Monday.

Philadelphia Police say the 31-year-old driver of a silver Nissan Versa lost control of the car as it traveled westbound on Luzerne Avenue at Whitaker Avenue in the city's Juniata section around 2 a.m. The car slammed sideways into a wall of the city-owned building, leaving the vehicle mangled and both occupants trapped.

The driver could not be saved and died at the scene, officials said. The 25-year-old passenger was quickly freed from the car and rushed to Temple University Hospital. They remain there in critical condition.

Police say their initial investigation found the car was traveling at a high rate of speed and neither person was wearing seat belts.

No one was hurt outside of the car.

The crash remains under investigation.



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Metal Detector Installation Begins at Citizens Bank Park

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Crews will begin installing metal detectors at Citizens Bank Park on Monday as part of enhanced security measures being mandated by Major League Baseball.

The Philadelphia Phillies are adding a set of the security screening devices to the Right Field Gate.

The detectors are being added as part of a pilot program instituted by Major League Baseball. The league said it is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to standardize security procedures at all 30 MLB ballparks by the start of the 2015 season.

"We fully support MLB's efforts to implement these enhanced security measures, and look forward to working with them during this pilot program," Sal DeAngelis, the Phillies Director of Operations/Security, said in a statement.

Fans entering Citizens Bank Park through the Right Field Gate will be required to pass through the detectors starting at the July 21st game against the San Francisco Giants, the team said. They will undergo the screening before having their tickets scanned.

Team officials say cell phones, cameras and other large metal items will need to be put aside as fans enter the detectors. But, fans will not be required to remove belts or shoes. Bag checks will also remain.

DeAngelis said he expects the team to install the metal detectors at every gate by the start of next season.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Workout Before You Fly

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Philadelphia International Airport is among the first in the country to offer free exercise equipment for flyers. NBC10's Katy Zachry reports from South Philadelphia.

Big Rig Crushes Car Against Barrier Along NE Extension

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A tractor-trailer crushed a disabled sedan against a concrete barrier on Monday morning leaving part of the Northeast Extension closed.

The truck was traveling northbound in I-476 at the Lansdale interchange when it slammed into the car, which was involved in an earlier crash, around 4 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police said.

In that first crash, state police say the female driver lost control of the car just before midnight and hit construction equipment. She was seriously hurt and was flown to a nearby trauma center by medical helicopter.

While the sedan sat disabled at the scene, the tractor trailer hit and wedged it up against the concrete barrier.

State police shut down that portion of the highway -- diverting traffic off the road at the interchange and then back on from the other side.

The crash remains under investigation. Road crews were able to tow away the wreck and reopen the highway around 8:30 a.m. -- some 8 hours after the first collision.



Photo Credit: SkyForce10 - NBC10.com
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