One Dead in Four-Alarm Norristown Fire

Photo courtesy of Norristown Fire Department

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One person is dead and multiple people injured following a four-alarm fire in Norristown early Wednesday morning.

The fire was in an apartment building on the 600 block of Swede Street, Montgomery County officials said.

The fire broke out in the 23-unit building just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, CBS said, and wasn’t considered until control until after 5:30 a.m. Hot spots have continued to flare throughout the morning, CBS said.

The fire appears to have started in the basement, The Times Herald said. The fire eventually reached the roof, and led to the partial collapse of the building’s sixth floor.

One person was killed in the fire. No additional details have been released.

A firefighter cut his hand working to rescue people, CBS said.

A temporary shelter was set up at Norristown High School for 21 people, the American Red Cross said.

Because of the location of the fire, there is limited access to the Montgomery County Courthouse and other county buildings in Norristown, county officials said Wednesday morning. Employees were advised to enter on Airy Street and to expect delays.

Traffic was still being detoured from Airy, Swede and Marshall streets on Wednesday morning, The Times Herald said.