Seven people died from smoke inhalation in a fire that destroyed an old Philadelphia building apparently being used as a group home by several people. The majority of the residents at the home were mentally or physically disabled. The owner of the property was previously denied a license to run the care facility. In addition, the facility was cited in 1987 for being an unlicensed boarding house.

Twelve people appeared to live in the trash filled house at the time of the fire. In addition to the seven deaths, a young girl living in the home was hospitalized for severe burns and smoke inhalation.