2 killed in West Philly fire

Two people were killed and four families were displaced after a fire broke out Monday evening in West Philadelphia, authorities said.

Firefighters arrived on the 5800 block of Chestnut Street just after 5:30 p.m. and spent about an hour battling the flames, which damaged several houses, according to Kathy Matheson, a spokesperson for the fire department.

Just after 7 p.m., a 50-year-old woman was found dead in the back bedroom of one of the houses, and the body of a 55-year-old man was discovered in a room down the hall, police said.

Their names have not been released, and the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating their deaths.

Authorities said an 11-year-old boy and his 28-year-old mother jumped out the back window of a house on the street and were taken to Jefferson University Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Both are expected to physically recover.

The Red Cross is helping a total of 15 people who were forced to evacuate as a result of the blaze.

Matheson said the cause of the flames is being investigated by the Fire Marshal’s Office with support from the Philadelphia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

About 100 fire personnel responded to the incident.