1 dead after house fire in North Philadelphia; no working smoke detectors found

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- One person is dead after a fire broke out Friday morning at a home in North Philadelphia.

It happened around 4:45 a.m. in the 2300 block of N. Somerset Street.

Fire officials say four residents were inside the home when the fire started, all of them walked out on their own.

However, one man fell ill and became unresponsive outside. Medics rushed him to Temple University Hospital where he died.

Firefighters made it to the home within two minutes of the call, but the house was already up in flames. Crews were able to quickly put the fire out.

No working smoke detectors were found inside the home, and fire officials are reminding the public that working smoke alarms can save lives.

"Our message from Commissioner Thompson is to have smoke alarms, have an escape plan, things like that. Call us, we'll come out. We're pleading with everybody to put those smoke alarms up," said Asst. Deputy Fire Commissioner Derek Bowmer.

The fire department did say none of the first responders were injured.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.