Family identifies man, 68, as victim of fire in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A 68-year-old man died in a row home fire late Tuesday night in Philadelphia's Mayfair neighborhood, according to a family member.

Firefighters found him on the first floor of the home on the 3200 block of Teesdale Street after responding just before 11:30 p.m. to reports of heavy smoke.

The relative identified the victim as Thomas Yust, and said she learned of the fatality on the news Wednesday morning, and didn't know it was her relative until other family members called her.

By Wednesday afternoon, she had gotten the confirmation from the coroner.

"I was very shocked," the relative said.

She asked to remain anonymous, but told Action News that Yust had experienced a difficult few months.

"He had a rough couple of months. I know that last time I'd seen him he was not doing so good and was out on the street," she said.

She added that the family had not heard from Yust in nearly two months and did not know he had been living at the home.

"We've been looking for him for almost two months now, since after his birthday in December. No phone calls, not seeing him out where I usually see him, nothing," she said.

Philadelphia firefighters rushed to the home to find heavy, dark smoke pouring from the first floor, officials said.

"It was really black, dark smoke coming out of the front windows," said Terrence Graf, who lives nearby.

The cause of the fire and Yust's death remain under investigation. The death could mark the city's ninth fatal fire this year.

"Unfortunately, we've had an unusual amount of fire deaths this year," said Brandon Wilson, battalion chief of the Fire Prevention and Code Division.

Fire officials have been canvassing neighborhoods across the city, offering free smoke alarms to residents. On Wednesday, crews were on the 2500 block of North 12th Street, where a fire claimed the life of a man last week.

For Yust's loved ones, questions remain, but they say they are finding some comfort.

"He's at peace, and he'll be in a better place not suffering," the family member said.

Seven other people were inside the home at the time of the fire and made it out safely.