Woman charged with murder, arson after deadly Hunting Park house fire

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A woman has been charged with murder and arson after a man was found dead inside a home after a house fire in Hunting Park on Monday.

Natasha Teague, 38, was arrested and formally charged on Tuesday, according to police.

The victim has been identified as 69-year-old Barry Turner, police announced on Wednesday.

Crews were dispatched to the 3600 block of Percy Street just before 1 p.m.

First responders were called for a report of a fire with someone trapped inside.

Officials say the fire was intentionally started in one home and quickly spread to neighboring houses.

Residents described hearing calls for help.

"I'm trying, hear him hollering, I'm trying. Couldn't get to him though," said Jeff Melvin.

Melvin described efforts to rescue the man trapped inside, but said conditions quickly worsened.

"I tried to save him. Once we kicked the door in, the fire ran us back out," he said.

Fire crews worked to contain the blaze as it spread across the multiple properties. Officials later confirmed Turner was found dead inside the home where the fire originated.

"We lost a good neighbor," one resident said.

The Red Cross is assisting seven families - about 27 people - who have been displaced by the fire.

Among them is Stanley Harrison, whose home was impacted by the flames. Firefighters were able to save his dog, King.

"I tried to save my dog, but he ran back in the house," Harrison said.

Neighbors said the destruction could have been avoided and claimed they heard disturbances before the fire broke out.

"I didn't see it, we heard it. Boom, boom, boom. Banging on doors. She threw a fire bomb at 5 o'clock in the morning. That's why they called the police," Melvin said.

Residents also alleged ongoing issues involving Teague. They said police had been called to the area hours earlier.

"Definitely an ongoing problem. She's had too many chances. Every time they come around, they let her go. She kept pushing her limits. Now someone lost their life, a lot of people lose their home," said Talbert Lawton.

Teague faces multiple criminal counts, including Murder and Arson. Prosecutors also charged Teague with 12 counts of Causing and Risking a Catastrophe, alongside 12 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

The investigation remains ongoing.