Philly cop, once accused, credited for fire rescue in South Philadelphia

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia police officer, once accused but later acquitted of all charges for punching a woman on-camera, is being credited with saving three lives during a fire in South Philadelphia.

The blaze broke out just after 6 a.m. Friday in the 1700 block of Sigel Street.

In a news briefing at the scene, a police official said Lt. Jonathan Josey - who was in the area for an unrelated matter with another officer - saw the fire and called it in over police radio.

Then, without protective equipment, police say Josey kicked in the front door of the burning home and was able alert the people inside, telling residents to go out the back door.

Three people, including a child, were able to get out with non-life-threatening injuries.

Capt. Lou Campione said "He may have saved three lives today."

A man was reportedly seen throwing something at the home before the blaze.

Capt. Campione said the fire "went up rapidly. We need to determine what caused it to go up so suddenly."

The fire has been ruled as suspicious. Investigators say an arrest has been made, and that Josey was the one who took a man into custody at the scene.

Police have not released details pertaining to the identity of the suspect or the charges he is facing.

Family members of the victims are thankful the police were in the right place at the right time.

"If he hadn't been on the job I don't think they would've survived," said cousin Karen McDuffy.

Josey had once been fired from the force after he was seen on video punching a woman after the Puerto Rican Day Parade in September, 2012. After he was acquitted, an arbitrator ruled he was to be reinstated.

Four people are being assisted by the Red Cross. Fire officials say the homes on either side were not seriously affected.