The fire started shortly after midnight and burned for more than 2 hours in the city's Bustleton section along Bustleton Avenue between Benson and Hoffnagle.
A 70-year-old woman was transported from the scene and officials tell Action News she had no vital signs. She died at Torresdale Hospital.
Medics took seven other victims to Temple for burns and other injuries. Their conditions are all reported to be stable. Two firefighters also suffered injuries during the blaze. They were treated and released from the hospital.
The fire hit at least several units on the top floor of the 3-story apartment building, gutting some of them.
Firefighters declared that the blaze was under control around 2:30 a.m.
There's no word yet about the identity of the woman who was killed.
There is no cause on the fire, but Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says it appears to have been accidental and that the building had a properly working smoke alarm system that did function.
However, Ayers says his chief concern was that some of the residents heard the alarm, but failed to evacuate timely, resulting in rescues being necessary.
