7 injured, including child and first responders, in Northeast Philadelphia rowhome fire

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A total of seven people were injured, including a child and first responders, after a fire at a rowhome in Northeast Philadelphia on Thursday morning.

Fire officials say two people jumped from windows on the second floor to escape.

Police officers rescued two other people, an adult and a child, who were inside the home.

The fire started at about 8 a.m. at a home on the 6300 block of Cardiff Street, which is steps away from the 15th police district.

"Officers came on foot, and officers came in cars," Francis Bachmayer, a commanding officer for the Northeast Police Division, said. "We were the first that responded."

Neighbors say those police officers helped two of the residents get out.

Risa Shirane says she watched from her home across the street as a woman, who was stuck on the second floor, dropped a child to one of the officers below.

"I saw a police officer catch the baby," Shirane explained. "The baby was crying. She was scared. Her mom was still on the second floor. But after she jumped from the second floor, they went to the hospital."

When crews arrived, heavy smoke was pouring out of the two-story home and flames were seen at the back of the house.

Initial calls were that someone was trapped inside the home, so firefighters made entry on the second floor.

A firefighter was trapped for a brief time, and a mayday call was issued, but that firefighter was rescued.

Two police officers, a firefighter and four people from inside the home - including a small child - were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

Derek Bowmer, executive chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department, said all of the injuries were minor.

The fire was put out in less than 30 minutes. The cause remains under investigation, Bowmer said.

"The good outcome of this is that we rescued everybody," Bowmer told Action News. "We did have some injuries of a firefighter, two police officers, all minor injuries. Everybody is safe. Just a good outcome today."