A large fire that burned through a corner Old City Philadelphia home left a traffic mess around the area for drivers and pedestrians today. Afternoon commuters in the area will be impacted as firefighters are still extinguishing hot spots six hours later.
The fire at the Suit Corner store at 3rd and Market Streets began shortly after 9 a.m. Firefighters had the fire under control at 10:37 p.m. but it's still not fully yet out as rush hour time approaches.
Market Street was closed from 2nd to 6th Street. 3rd Street was closed from Chestnut to Arch Streets with police tape blocking off not only the street but the sidewalk. The streets remained closed at 3 p.m.
Crews also used 5th and Market Streets as their staging area.
The best bet is to avoid the area entirely but if you need to get around the area; Front Street, 6th Street, Arch Street and Chestnut Street could be used as alternate routes.
SEPTA lines that service the area Including bus Routes 17, 21, 33, 42 and 48 terminated at 5th and Market. The Route 5 bus will terminate at 2nd and Arch Streets and SEPTA detoured the Route 57 bus around the area.