5 adults, 4 children injured in Frankford fire

FRANKFORD (WPVI) -- Nine people were hurt and 20 people were displaced by a fire that trapped several Philadelphia residents overnight.

A baby was one of those rescued from the flames.

The fire broke out around 4 a.m. Tuesday in the 4500 block of Frankford Avenue.

When firefighters arrived they had to make multiple rescues.

21-year-old Tyrone Cole suffered burns to his hands and face because he wanted to make sure everyone in his apartment got out ok.

"I didn't leave until my whole apartment was safe - then I left," Cole said.

Cole spoke to us after his release from Temple University Hospital with his grateful mother by his side.

"I heard a bunch of people screaming. Then I had a couple old people inside my apartment that I had to help out," he said.

Cole's mother, Cachella Ford, says, "God is so awesome. I'm just happy that he was able to spare other people (sic) lives. And in spite of that God spared my child's life. So, I'm just grateful."

He and other neighbors helped out. Jessica Carr described the rescue of a baby.

"They passed it to my Uncle Mike, and my uncle grabbed the baby and then tried to help them over to get down to the fire escape," Carr said.

Firefighters quickly arrived with a heavy response to the two alarm blaze.

Fire Deputy Commissioner Robert Corrigan said, "Companies immediately started aggressive interior firefighting operations to protect the people who were trapped inside the building, and also started making rescues with both ground ladders and aerial ladders."

Throughout the morning concerned family members raced to the scene fearing the worst.

Nine people were injured - 5 adults and four kids.

The fire damaged the apartments and a corner pizza shop.

Red Paw Relief saved several pets, however some died in the blaze.

The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation.

Several families are without a home. The Red Cross is currently offering them assistance.

The structure was built in the 1930s. The building is owned by a holding company out of Lakewood, New Jersey, but their representative refused to answer questions after saying the renters were responsible for their own insurance.