WTFX
Reprinted with Permission

PHILADELPHIA - Fire officials said a mid-afternoon blaze in Port Richmond sent three children to a local hospital in critical condition.


Fire crews were called at 2:12 p.m. Tuesday to the 2700 block of East Madison Street, where it meets Tilton Street, for a fire in the last home in a strip of two-story row homes.

Responding firefighters found heavy fire on the second floor but placed it under control by 2:26 p.m.

The children's grandfather and two Philadelphia bike cops ran into the burning building to save the children.

The grandfather was severely burned all over his body. The children's mother was also injured.

They were transported to Temple University. Tonight, the mother, who is six months pregnant, is listed in stable condition and the grandfather is still critical, but stable.

The three children, ages 5, 4 and 1, were all taken to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, officials said.

They are still listed in extremely critical condition.