Nov 23, 2009 10:30 pm US/Eastern
Police: Lit Candle Cause Of Lawncrest Apt. Fire
PHILADELPHIA (CBS3/AP) ―
According to Philadelphia police officials, a lit candle is to blame for a weekend apartment fire that left nearly two dozen people hurt, including four firefighters.
Police investigators determined the 5-alarm fire at the Austin Manor Apartments in Northeast Philadelphia Sunday morning was caused by a lit candle.
However, an investigation by fire department officials is ongoing.
The fire injured 21 people, including four firefighters, and left dozens homeless. Officials say three of the injured residents are in critical condition. Some residents were forced to jump from the building to escape the flames.
Fire officials say the four injured firefighters were treated and released from the hospital. All of the residents were accounted for, officials said.
The fire broke out around 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning and was declared under control in about two hours.
Sunday was not the first time the Austin Manor Complex was ravaged by flames.
A five-alarm fire raced through one of the buildings back in October 2001. Flames tore through 42 apartments and two businesses.
The 2001 fire was started by a lit candle that burned some drapes.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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