A preliminary investigation indicates that Monday's deadly fire in WestPhiladelphia was caused by an electrical problem, according to FireCommissioner Lloyd Ayers.The blaze happened early Monday on the 5200block of Chancellor Street. Killed in the fire were Seneca "Chuck"McClendon, his son's fiancee Rishya Jenkins, 4-year-old CyncereMcClendon, and 2-year-old Jayden McClendon.Relatives, friend andneighbors grieved outside the home yesterday, including the grandmotherof the toddlers who required medical attention after collapsing. Ayersand others were on the scene to distribute fire safety checklists andsmoke detectors. Ayers said the home did not have working smokedetectors."We want to warn families to take care of their electricalsystems, make sure they don't overload them," he said. "Make sure that improperly, never use extension cords,never put extension cords under rugs, don't put extension cords aroundnails and stuff like that."PreventionThe third fatal fire in a week once again highlighted the crucial need for simple prevention measures.Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said yesterday that there were no working smoke detectors in the residence. The deaths brought the number of fire fatalities to 16 in the first four months of 2012.The mayor cut short his meeting with reporters outside the Chancellor Street home after a relative of the four people killed collapsed on the sidewalk nearby and needed oxygen.
