PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A Philadelphia firefighter has died after a pizzeria caught fire and collapsed early Saturday morning, trapping him and five others. The city of Philadelphia identified the deceased firefighter as Lt. Sean Williamson, 51.
Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy said he was a 27-year veteran of the department. Williamson was recently assigned to Ladder 18 in the Hunting Park section of the city. He leaves behind his mother and a son.
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Police also identified the other four firefighters and an L&I employee injured during the incident.
Firefighters Robert Brennan Jr. and Dennis Daly are listed in critical but stable condition. They are both at Temple University Hospital. Lieutenants Sylvester Burton and Clarence Johnson were treated and released from Temple. Inspector Thomas Rybakowski was also treated and released. All five were rescued from the rubble.
The video below shows first responders greeting Williamson as his body was transported from the medical examiner’s office.
The building caught fire just before 2 am Saturday, Murphy said. The fire had been put out, but then the building, a pizzeria located at the intersection of West Indiana and North 3dr Street, collapsed at 3:24 am
Emergency crews were doing inspections and looking for hotspots when the building collapsed.
Resident Darlene Mumbauer watched from her apartment as firefighters stormed the building.
“It didn’t look like anything very serious, but I saw all these trucks and they started cutting through the window grills to get in,” Mumbauer said.
Saw smoke but no flames. Thinking the fire was under control, Mumbauer went back to sleep.
“So my niece comes down about an hour later. The whole building collapsed and I said what!?” Mumbaier said.
The collapse of the building woke up the family of María López.
“We heard like a bomb, very, very loud. We thought that it was raining or that it was raining, but we did not give importance to it, “said López.
Only when she and other neighbors came out did they realize the seriousness of what had happened.
Philadelphia Fire confirms that one of its firefighters died as a result of this morning’s building collapse on Indiana Avenue. latest in @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/CyBzm5RaFe
— Brandon Goldner (@GoldnerTV) June 18, 2022
Numerous firefighters were on the scene as the rescue effort unfolded, with some seen hugging each other or wiping tears from their eyes.
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Murphy said it was going to be a tough few days.
“Keep praying for us. Please continue to pray for this man’s family and, you know, that’s all we can ask for,” he said. “We have the largest fire department in America and our people put it on the line every day.”
“Duel with the members of the @PhillyFireDept and all @PhiladelphiaGov who lost one of our own in the line of duty today. We will continue to provide updates on this tragic incident when we have them,” Mayor Jim Kenney tweeted.
Duel with the members of the @PhillyFireDept and all @PhiladelphiaGov who lost one of our own in the line of duty today.
We will continue to provide updates on this tragic incident when we have them. https://t.co/u4KiuZ3z2C
— Jim #VaxUpPhilly Kenney (@PhillyMayor) June 18, 2022
“The @phillypolice Department is heartbroken as we mourn the loss of our fallen @PhillyFireDept brother. Our prayers go out to everyone affected by the loss of this heroic public servant and we thank our PFD colleagues for all they do to keep our city safe,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.
the @phillypolice Department is heartbroken as we mourn the loss of our fallen @PhillyFireDept brother. Our prayers go out to everyone affected by the loss of this heroic public servant, and we thank our colleagues in the PFD for all they do to keep our city safe. https://t.co/ovg8YaOGDm
— Danielle M. Outlaw (@PPDCommish) June 18, 2022
The Red Cross says two families were displaced by the collapse and will be relocated to new homes.
The cause of the initial fire and collapse remains under investigation.
CBS3’s Alecia Reid and Brandon Goldner contributed to this story.
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This is a developing story. Stay with CBS Philly online, on air and streaming on CBS News Philly for continued coverage.
Reference-philadelphia.cbslocal.com