5-year-old girl killed in Kensington house fire as neighbor helps rescue residents

PHILADELPHIA - A devastating early morning house fire in Kensington has left a five-year-old girl dead and three adults in critical condition.

What we know:

Firefighters responded to the blaze on the 3300 block of D Street at approximately 3:30 a.m. Sunday as several people were said to be trapped inside the home. 

Two adults managed to escape through the second-story front windows thanks to the help of a quick-acting neighbor.

During a search of the interior, rescue teams located a third adult and a five-year-old girl trapped in a back bedroom. The child was rushed to St. Christopher’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to the Deputy Fire Marshal, the three adults are currently receiving treatment in critical condition at Einstein Medical Center and Temple University Hospital.

The fire, which is believed to have started on the second floor, was placed under control within 30 minutes of the fire department's arrival.

What they're saying:

A mother who lives next door told FOX 29's Ellen Kolodziej that the quick action of another neighbor helped save lives.

"It was very scary. It was very scary," Gisella Fleita said. "When we came out, they were jumping out of their house."

The flames started on the second floor of this house, but spread so quickly that by the time firefighters arrived, a neighbor was already helping two adults jump out the windows.

"I just wanted to get my kids out this morning," Fleitus said. "We heard the screaming and we just ran out."

What we don't know:

The cause of the fire is still unknown and remains under active investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office.

Additional information about the victims has yet to be released.

PhiladelphiaNews