At just before 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, a fire erupted at a vacant Rite Aid store in Philadelphia’s Port Richmond neighborhood, prompting a rapid response from local firefighters.
The Blaze Begins
Firefighters were called to the Rite Aid on the 3600 block of Aramingo Avenue shortly before 1:30 a.m. The building was vacant when the flames started, and the fire quickly spread through the interior.
Witnesses Capture the Moment
Shelsey Rondon, a manager at a nearby Taco Bell, told NBC10 that she and her employees saw the fire and recorded video of the Rite Aid engulfed in flames. “We came running outside and that area over there was up in flames,” Rondon said. “And then that’s when all of the fire department started coming in.”
Firefighters Respond Quickly
Responding firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control and extinguish the flames before the fire spread further. The rapid response prevented additional damage to the surrounding area.
No Injuries Reported
According to Rondon, no injuries were reported during the incident. “The fire was pretty big and it could’ve been dangerous but thankfully everything is good and everybody’s alright,” she added.
Investigation Underway
Officials have not yet revealed the cause of the fire. Investigators are continuing to examine the scene to determine how the blaze began.
Key Takeaways
- A fire broke out at a vacant Rite Aid on the 3600 block of Aramingo Avenue shortly before 1:30 a.m.
- Witnesses captured the incident on video and reported the fire to the fire department.
- Firefighters extinguished the flames with no injuries reported.
- The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of rapid emergency response and the need for ongoing investigations into unexpected fires in vacant properties.
