Fire Destroys Chain Street Row Home

Norristown Fire Department responded to a second-story fire at approximately 9:50 p.m. on Sunday night. The crews arrived to find heavy fire visible through the second-story windows and called multiple units for assistance. The fire was put under control in around ten minutes, according to Fire Chief Thomas O'Donnell.

Two victims were removed from the two-story row home at 121 Chain Street. According to chief O'Donnell, one was treated locally for minor injuries while a second was transported to Temple Hospital's burn unit.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation, according to O'Donnell. It began in the front bedroom of the home, gutting most of the interior and burning through the roof.

Traffic was diverted in the vicinity of the blaze, but has since been reopened.

For the full report, including time-stamped updates from the scene, see the post below.

The original story and updates are posted below.

UPDATE 11:07 p.m.: Norristown Fire Chief Thomas O'Donnell said that the fire was put under control in a matter of about ten minutes.

He said that two persons were taken out of the home. One was treated locally, while a second had to be transported to Temple Burn Unit for treatment.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to O'Donnell.

UPDATE 10:37 p.m.: A Patch reporter is now at the scene of the fire. Chief Thomas O'Donnell reports that the fire is considered under control now.

O'Donnell said that it was a second-floor fire, in the front bedroom of a two-story row home that ignited. The cause is not yet known.

Crews are still working at the scene to knock down walls. Several firefighters are on the structure's roof, which now has many visible holes where the fire has burned through it. Crews are shining flashlights through the holes to inspect for additional flames or smoke.

O'Donnell said the fire team will continue to check walls and hot spots to insure the blaze is extinguished.

Two persons were rescued from the home's fire, and appear to be in stable condition, according to O'Donnell. No other injuries were reported.

UPDATE 10:33 p.m.: Both scanner reports and readers responding via Facebook have confirmed that a 60-year-old female is being transported from the scene via ambulance. The woman was on a stretcher, being given oxygen for what reports say was smoke inhalation. It is unknown if she was an occupant of the home or a neighbor. It is also not yet known if the home had other occupants or if they made it out safely, if home.

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.: Neighbors report via Facebook that they are safe at 123 Chain St., right next door to the fire burning at 121. It is not yet known if the inhabitants of the home at 121 are out of the unit safely. Stay tuned in to our updates for more information as it is made available.

UPDATE 10:10 p.m.: Traffic is now being diverted starting from the intersection of Airy and George streets in Norristown. Traffic police are at the intersection, insuring the saftey of passers-by and incoming traffic. They are not currently permitting use of the roadway in the vicinity of the fire. 

The initial story is below:

The Norristown Fire Department is en route to a fire reported in the 100 block of Chain Street in Norristown. Multiple units have been called in for back-up, according to radio reports. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has also been called in.

The fire department was dispatched at 9:50 p.m. Sunday night. Departments report that a second floor is showing "heavy fire" and has requested assistance. Utility companies that service the area are also being called to the scene.

A command center is being set up to the rear of the property, in order to coordinate efforts of rescue crews.

A Patch editor is en route to the scene, and more information will be posted as it is made available.