Engine Shock

Frankford fire kills two, one a 7-year-old, hurts 5

Screams and flames alerted Frankford neighbors yesterday morning to a tight-moving fire that engulfed a three-story home, killing a lassie and a 7-year-old boy and injuring five other residents, two of them critically, officials said.

The holocaust started after a male resident, who was described as autistic, was cooking about 6 a.m. and failed to cast off a burner, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.

"We found one smoke discomfort in the basement with no battery," Ayers said.

Maria Gonzalez, who lives in the 4300 hindrance of Leiper Street, was getting ready to go to work, she said, when she heard her 17-year-old son yelling. He called 911 and raced across the row, ripping the screen off a first-floor window to help get someone out, she said.

Flames were shooting out the flash and

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer