Multiple videos: Ladders rescues during fatal 4-alarm apartment fire in Norristown, PA
A four-alarm fire roared through an apartment complex overnight, killing one person, injuring several others and chasing dozens from their homes, authorities said.
The blaze broke out about 1 a.m. at the Norris Apartments on Swede Street at Marshall Street in downtown Norristown at Swede. It is believed at least two people were injured in the fire, and another 21 were forced to evacuate their homes.
The 4-alarm blaze broke out just before 1:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Norris Apartments in the 600 block of Swede Street.
Firefighters responded to a report of fire in the basement. They arrived to find flames shooting from the second and third floors of the 6-story building.
The blaze eventually spread to the roof and caused a partial collapse of the building before crews were able to get the upper hand.
The blaze was initially reported in the basement, but crews had to make rescues throughout the six-story building, fire officials said.
“Crews had their hands full when they got here,” Norristown Fire Chief Thomas O’Donnell told reporters at the scene.
Officials said the fire apparently spread through a trash chute.
