By the time Chuck Gamble got the call, he knew the news could be devastating. As Executive Vice President of Gamble and Huff, he is a steward of a musical institution, which this morning went up in smoke.
"This building is historical in nature, and it represented the sound of Philadelphia," Gamble said.
According to investigators, the fire inside Philadelphia International Records on the corner of Broad and Spruce streets started shortly before 7:30 Sunday morning.
Some first responders recall seeing several young people running from inside, despite it having been closed and locked.
Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says that one person was assisted by the Philadelphia Fire Department from the third floor during the blaze. That person was transported to a local hospital. He was then questioned by the fire marshal, arson task force, and police. He has since been released from the hospital and from custody.
The fire is believed to have begun on the third floor which was the heart of the company's rich musical history.
"That's where our main studios are; that's where we recorded so many of the artists through the years. We're just so concerned about all the potential damage that could have happened," Gamble said.
The effects of the fire are being felt by many.
"It's going to be very sad because Gamble and Huff is the Philadelphia sound," Kimmel Center volunteer Joan Goldberg said.
The Philadelphia International Records was where the Philadelphia sound was born. Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff guided such artists as the late Teddy Pendergrass, whose funeral they recently attended, as well as Patti Labelle, Chubby Checker, Michael Jackson and others. Their list of hits included anthems like 'Love Train,' and 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now.' Luckily, all were securely stored off sight.
While all of those hits from all of those artists will be their musical legacy, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are also immortalized on Broad Street, not just in the soul of Philadelphia, but also in Broad Street's Walk of Fame.
Both Gamble and Huff were out of town, but expected to return to survey the damage, which investigators called extensive, firsthand and to see about repairing the place where they built an iconic reputation.
The fire is still under investigation and deemed suspicious.
