Fatal Southwest Philadelphia fire being investigated as homicide

Wednesday, December 2, 2020
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are investigating a fire where a 21-year-old woman was found dead in Southwest Philadelphia as a homicide.

Police said officers and fire crews and responded to the 5200 block of Chester Avenue for reports of a fire with people trapped inside around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.
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Kiara Watkins, 21, of the 5200 block of West Thompson Street, was found inside a bedroom in a rear apartment.

A police source told Action News she may have been dead before the fire started.

Police announced Wednesday that an investigation is active and ongoing with the Homicide Detectives Division.
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There is no word on a motive or a suspect at this time.

Police said all others in the home made it out safely and there were no other injuries.
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