PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A fire engulfed a dilapidated house early Sunday, killing a mother and four children who were staying in the home despite relatives' warnings that it was unsafe, officials said.
Firefighters found the victims unresponsive on a bed inside the West Philadelphia house's boarded-up second floor, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said. Rescuers rushed to pass the victims out of windows, and paramedics tried to revive them, he said.
"It's just a catastrophic thing," he said.
Ayers did not name the victims — a 25-year-old woman and her children, a 6-year-old girl and three boys ages 1 1/2, 3 and 4.
The house's electrical wiring was rigged dangerously, and it was choked with debris, Ayers said.