7-year-old praised for helping save family from Chester fire
CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- A young girl is being praised in Chester, Delaware County for helping save her family from an early-morning house fire.
"It was like smoky and dark. We had to get out really fast," 7-year-old Serenity Felker said.
The early morning fire was so intense, it woke Serenity out of bed.
"We were all sleeping and my daughter woke up and said, 'Daddy, Mommy there's smoke all in the house,' dad Dan Felker said.
Mom Chelsie broke a side window open then got all three kids, ages two to seven, on the fire escape then firefighters rushed to help.
Medics took the family of five to Ccrozer Chester Medical Center.
The blaze broke out around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday in the home converted into apartments at 3rd and Yarnall streets.
Firefighters estimate there are at least a dozen occupants in the six apartments.
The blaze quickly moved to two alarms with the bulk of the flames coming from the second and third floors.
Fire officials believe the cause is accidental and the fire began in a second floor kitchen.
"I heard 'the apartments on fire, get out.' I came to the bathroom window, seen the apartment next door fully engulfed," fire victim Daniel Harold said.
"The firefighters came on time, they pulled the kids out. It was a blessing that they were right here, right on time. We thank God the kids have their lives, including mine," fire victim Kareemah Turner said.
The Felkers were the last to get out and they did just in time.
"By the grace of God, everyone was OK," Chelsie said. "I feel relieved that not only my family is OK, but the family on the second floor is OK."
Neighbors say recent car fires made them suspicious, but fire officials say this was an accident.
The Red Cross is helping four families with housing, food, and clothes.
