Deadly house fire in Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion that killed mom, 2 children, being investigated as arson
A deadly house fire in Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion neighborhood that left a mother and her two children dead, and injured two more people, is now being investigated as arson, police said Friday night.
Philadelphia police said a person was brought in for questioning in connection with the early morning house fire; however, no charges have been filed yet. The Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit is still investigating.
A fire official said a 55-year-old woman jumped from the second floor with a 1-year-old to escape. Both survived and were taken to the hospital.
Authorities later confirmed two children died, but did not specify their ages. Firefighters also found an adult woman dead on the second floor later while conducting a secondary check of the home. A relative identified the victims as Ashley Thompson, who was seven months pregnant, and the mother of the two children, 6-year-old Assad and 4-year-old Alaya, who were killed.
The home is on Corlies Street, near the corner of 30th and Cumberland streets. Video from a resident showed flames shooting from a window on the second floor.
Philadelphia Fire Department Deputy Commissioner Carl Randolph said an alarm went off around 4:50 a.m. and firefighters responded to the scene to find heavy fire.
Rescues were made and firefighters called for backup as they worked to put out the flames. The fire was placed under control at 5:13 a.m. and there was no spread to other buildings or injuries to any first responders.
The Philadelphia Fire Marshal's Office is on the scene investigating the cause of the fire. There were working smoke detectors on the scene, Randolph said.
"Our hearts are with the community in Strawberry Mansion after a devastating fire this morning. Please keep them and our first responders in your thoughts," .
