Fire crews were battling an intense fire early Monday morning inside the three-story Locust Medical Center building located at 249 S. 52nd Street (see video below). The fire broke out around 4:45 a.m. and was brought under control around 6:30 a.m., according to reports. The building reportedly houses a pharmacy and several doctors’ offices. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

UPDATE (9:55 p.m.): NBC Philadelphia is reporting that one person was hurt in the fire on the 4700 block of Cedar. His or her condition is currently unknown.

UPDATE (8:29 p.m.): The fire is under control. It appears that the fire heavily damaged the home’s interior. Neighbors say an elderly man lives alone in the home. He reportedly wasn’t home when the fire began. We’ll keep you updated.

8:05 p.m.: Fire crews are battling a fire at 4729 Cedar Avenue, a twin home. The fire broke out at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Photo by David Poplar.

A fire and gas leak were recently reported in two separate incidents within one-block radius.

The residents of Garden Court Apartments at 47th and Pine were temporarily evacuated Thursday night due to a fire in one of the apartments, according to reader reports. The fire was reported at around 7:20 p.m. Fire crews put out the fire, and most of the building’s residents were allowed back in the building an hour later. It’s not known what caused the fire.

A gas leak was reported early Friday morning, around 1 a.m., on the 4600 block of Spruce Street. A pregnant woman was taken to the hospital and several others were evacuated from a house with apartment units where the gas leak occurred. The pregnant woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation. PGW was on the scene to repair the leak, 6ABC reports.

UPDATE: We’ve just learned of another fundraiser for a family displaced by the fire. They’re currently in a temporary housing and need some funding for a new apartment, clothing, and furniture. Here’s a GoFundMe page to help Marlon and Lulu.

The four-story Westover apartment building at 4730 Pine Street, which was damaged by a fire on Friday, Dec. 19, has been closed for repairs for at least six months, according to building resident Ruth Morgan.

“Everyone is looking for a place to live now,” Morgan posted this morning on our Facebook page.

This afternoon, we spoke to a policeman who was patrolling outside the building, and he confirmed that the section of the Westover Apartments where the fire broke out is now closed. Two adjacent sections of The Westover apartment complex, at 4720 and 4740 Pine St, were not damaged by the fire and are occupied. The Westover Apartments are managed by Campus Apartments.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the Fire Marshal’s office.

An online fundraising campaign has been going on for two of the building’s residents, who lost all of their belongings in the fire.

Reader David Brown sent us photos of yesterday’s fire at The Westover apartment building near 47th and Pine Streets. Read more about the fire here.

Continue Reading

UPDATE (12/20/2014): PhillyFireNews.com is reporting that a firefighter responding to Friday’s fire at 4730 Pine St sustained burns and required medical treatment. No injuries were reported among the building’s residents. The fire reportedly started in a first floor apartment of the four-story building and spread to the second floor. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

(10:55 p.m.): A GoFundMe page has been set up to help a couple displaced by the fire. Kristie and Mark’s apartment was destroyed and they lost all of their belongings in the fire, according to information posted on the page. They are currently staying with family.

If you know of any other people displaced by the fire please let us know (editor@westphillylocal.com).

The Red Paw Relief Team again did a great job providing emergency assistance to pets:

We are on-scene w/@PhillyFireDept assisting w/several pets displaced by an apt bldg fire at 46th & Pine in #philly pic.twitter.com/xu60FcteQy

— Red Paw Relief Team (@RedPawRelief) December 19, 2014

(1:10 p.m.): Several residents have been evacuated. The streets in the two-block radius around the fire are closed.

@RedCrossPhilly responding to an apartment fire on the 4700 blk of pine st with @RedPawRelief — Meara Lebovitz (@MearaL) December 19, 2014

(12:59 p.m.): Fire crews are at the scene and the fire has been taken under control. The fire began on the second floor in an apartment facing Pine Street.

West Philly Local readers are reporting that a fire broke out at The Westover apartment building at 4730 Pine St (across from the Garden Court Eatery), shortly after 12 p.m.. We’re trying to get more information. Stay tuned. Twitter Photo by @AtomicChristine: