Officials identify firefighter killed after Fairhill building collapse - WHYY

2022-06-18 22:15:21 By : Mr. Michael Fu

Each week, Sam Sanders interviews people in the culture who deserve your attention. Plus weekly wraps of the news with other journalists. Join Sam as he makes sense of the world through conversation.

Win Broadway Series tix, gas, or an Apple Watch!

Philadelphia Firefighter Lieutenant Sean Williamson. (Courtesy of the City of Philadelphia)

This story originally appeared on 6abc 

Philadelphia officials have identified the firefighter killed after being trapped in a building that caught fire in Philadelphia and collapsed early Saturday.

Officials say Lieutenant Sean Williamson, 51, was a 27-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Williamson was most recently assigned to Ladder 18 in Hunting Park and leaves behind his mother and son.

“It’s going to be a rough few weeks coming up,” Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy said at a media briefing around 8 a.m. WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Williamson and other fire crew members were called to the 300 block of W. Indiana Avenue in the city’s Fairhill section.

The blaze broke out around 2 a.m. at a three-story restaurant and residential building. The fire had been put out, but then the building collapsed at 3:24 a.m.

Officials say a 2nd-alarm was declared after the collapse occurred.

The collapse was eventually placed under control at 7:12 a.m. This photo provided by the Philadelphia Fire Dept., emergency personnel respond to the scene of a building that caught fire then collapsed early Saturday, June 18, 2022 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Fire Department said “several” firefighters and a city inspector became trapped when a building collapsed during a fire response early Saturday, with more than one person still under the rubble hours later. (Philadelphia Fire Dept. via AP)

What caused the deadly Pottstown home explosion? ‘No evidence’ that it was gas from PECO’s system, but investigation could take a year

PECO says no evidence shows the utility’s gas lines are the cause, while experts say it looks like some form of gas is the culprit.

Four other firefighters and an inspector with the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections were also trapped at the time of the collapse. One firefighter jumped from the second story of the rubble, Murphy said.

The others were pulled out at various times.

Two firefighters and the L&I worker have been released from Temple University Hospital. One firefighter remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

The names of the injured members during the emergency response were: WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor Lieutenant Sylvester Burton, Fire Marshal Lieutenant Clarence Johnson Firefighter Dennis Bailey Firefighter Robert Brennan, Jr. Thomas Rybakowski, Supervisor, Emergency Services Unit, L&I

“You can’t predict this,” Murphy told reporters at a news conference. “This was just a catastrophic accident that (has) really hurt our department.”

Murphy said the building had been affected by the fire, but it was unclear what caused it to come down.

“The Philadelphia Fire Department is grieving with the family, friends, and community for all those affected by this tragedy,” said Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel in a statement. “It is not possible to express in words what we feel at this time.”

The Philadelphia Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire with assistance from the ATF.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney issued a statement on the death of Philadelphia Firefighter Lieutenant Sean Williamson:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Philadelphia Firefighter Lieutenant Sean Williamson. This is a heartbreaking day for our city.

For more than 27 years, he dedicated his life to serving and protecting the people of Philadelphia, and sacrificed his life protecting others.

Early this morning, like every day, he exemplified heroism by doing what our first responders do every day: put on their uniform, leave their loved ones, and carry out their sworn duty to protect and serve the residents of this city.

I share my deepest condolences with everyone who knew and loved Sean. I ask all Philadelphians to keep his family, and all members of the Philadelphia Fire Department, in your prayers at this difficult time.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Work begins on one of Rebuild Philly’s biggest project yet: $20 million rebuild at Vare Rec Center

The facility will have a new athletic field, a new recreation center, sprayground, and other amenities, including both indoor and outdoor classrooms.

WHYY sent a reporter to listen to communities impacted by gun violence. Here’s what we heard

WHYY’s first-ever gun violence prevention reporter took a two-month listening tour in Philly’s hardest-hit communities. Here’s what she learned.

Turn in a gun, get $100 at Eagles’ gun buyback

The Eagles are teaming up with Philadelphia police for a no-questions-asked gun buyback in an effort to reduce gun violence.

Officials identify Philadelphia firefighter killed after building collapse in Fairhill

U.S. opens COVID vaccine to little kids, shots begin next week

Biden takes spill while getting off bike after beach ride

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal

WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community.

WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. It’s how we live.