East Norriton Apartment Fire Claims One Life

One man is reported dead in the fire that consumed an apartment at at 2622 Swede Road in East Norriton on Friday night.

The fire was reported just before 9 p.m. and was brought under control by firefighters within the hour.

A downstairs neighbor and friend of the victim who asked not to be identified said he returned home shortly before 9 p.m. to hear the fire alarm and see smoke coming from the building. The neighbor tried to alert the victim by banging on his door but did not get a response. The neighbor said he could hear the man's dog barking inside the apartment.

The victim's information has not yet been released by officials, but the neighbor confirmed that the man's family has been notified.

"His mom called me and asked what happened," said the neighbor. "She saw it on the news. After I told her, the cops finally came to her house. The didn't tell her until 11 o'clock this morning, though."

"It's a shame," said the neighbor. "[His mother] was asking me, 'He's dead ain't he?' I said 'yeah.' She said, 'No one even told me. I saw it on the news and I knew it was him.'"

Residents of the apartment building were evacuated but were allowed to return this morning as contractors made repairs to the building. The fire was contained to the one apartment, but windows in adjoining apartments were smashed out for ventilation and some damage occurred to doors and walls.

Norristown Patch will have more details as they become available.