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Smoking Deemed Cause Of Deadly High-Rise Fire

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Jan 8, 2009 6:42 am US/Eastern

Smoking Deemed Cause Of Deadly High-Rise Fire

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― One person was killed and at least 15 others were injured after flames erupted in a North Philadelphia high-rise early Wednesday morning.

Firefighters were called to the Norris Apartments at 11th and Diamond Streets after reports of a fire in a third floor unit at about 4:45 a.m.

Officials said several residents were trapped by the blaze, including a 15-year-old male who reportedly jumped from a 5th floor window. He was rushed to Temple University Hospital in an unknown condition.

Authorities said a 46-year-old female severely injured in the fire was taken to Temple University Hospital where she was pronounced dead just before 6 a.m.

Approximately 15 other residents, including a three-year-old girl, were rescued from the burning apartment building and taken to area hospitals with unknown injuries.

Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control in just over an hour.

The Red Cross is assisting 31 residents displaced by the early morning fire.

The cause of the was determined to be smoking.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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