One Person Killed, Firefighters Injured, In Two-Alarm Montco House Fire

JENKINTOWN, PA — One person is dead after a two-alarm house fire in this eastern Montgomery County borough Friday evening.

Fire crews responded to a call of a fast-moving house fire around 7:39 p.m. Friday, and first responders on the scene found heavy fire emanating from the first and second floors of the home, located on the 200 block of Summit Avenue, according to a news release issued by Chief Thomas Scott of the Jenkintown Police Department.

Emergency crews immediately got word that a person was possibly trapped inside the home, the release states.

Firefighters worked on putting out the fire and began a search for the occupant, who was ultimately discovered on the second floor of the home.

Although responders performed on-scene lifesaving treatment, the individual ultimately succumbed to their injuries after being taken to Abington Jefferson Hospital, the news release states.

Residents of an adjacent property were evacuated from their home and relocated to be with family members.

Police said that the fire call was elevated to a second alarm due to the intense heat and smoke from the blaze.

Several fire companies from nearby Abington, Cheltenham and Springfield Townships came out to assist. Also assisting were medical personnel from the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad, Cheltenham EMS and the Horsham Fire Company, according to the news release.

In addition to the fatality, one firefighter at the scene had to be transported to a local hospital after suffering a possible heart attack, according to police.

Another firefighter had to be taken to the hospital for treatment of heat exhaustion, and several firefighters had to be treated at the scene for heat related issues and minor burns.

The Jenkintown Fire Marshal is currently investigating what may have caused the fire to break out. The office is being assisted by fire investigators from Lower Moreland, Cheltenham and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal.

The home sustained extensive damage due to the fire.

Police said the identity of the victim who passed away is not being released until family members are notified.