Woman killed in fire at Spring Garden high-rise condo

A woman died in a fire Monday night inside a high-rise condominium in the Spring Garden area – the second fatal blaze of the day – authorities said.

Firefighters responded at around 11:15 p.m. to The Philadelphian, a 20-story building with more than 750 units at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave., near the Art Museum, and were told of heavy smoke coming from the 14th floor, officials said.

The victim, who police described as a woman in her 40s, was taken to Jefferson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to the PPD. A spokesperson for the Medical Examiner’s Office identified her as Libby Schwartz and said she died of thermal injuries and smoke inhalation.

No other injuries were reported, and a fire department spokesperson said nine people were displaced from their homes due to the damage. The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the origin of the flames.

Crews evacuated residents living on the upper floors of the building, and the fire was placed under control at around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, the department said. About 85 PFD personnel responded to the blaze.

First on the scene was Ladder 01, a company that was recommissioned Monday after being closed for more than a decade, officials said. President Joe Biden visited the firehouse to mark the reopening.

Less than 24 hours before the fire, early Monday morning, a man was killed in a blaze inside a rowhome on the 6000 block of N. 12th Street in the Fern Rock neighborhood. Five deadly fires have occurred over the past two weeks, according to Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel.