They were guarding the scene of what authorities are calling a suspicious fire.
It broke out before 7:30 a.m. Sunday.
"I came to the door, and my son told me there were flames coming out," said neighbor Rochelle Acosta.
Inside, on the second floor, police found the body of a 35-year-old woman who was five months pregnant.
"I just think it's sad," said Cynthia of North Philadelphia, "because someone lost their daughter, their sister and a baby.
Pregnant woman found dead in North Philadelphia fire
Police have stopped short of ruling the blaze an arson pending further investigation and an autopsy.
Neighbors are stunned that arson is not being ruled out.
"That's just crazy," said Rasheed Napper, "because I don't see why somebody would want to kill a pregnant person and a baby."
Pregnant woman found dead in North Philadelphia fire
"I walk past here every day with my son going to school," said another resident. "It is kind of weird to realize a fire happened over here and somebody possibly set it to kill that person."
The woman was visiting her boyfriend from out of town.
Police are withholding her name until family members are notified.
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