Officials say the Philadelphia row house fire that killed 12 people, including 9 children, last week started when a 5 year old using a lighter ignited a Christmas tree.
The 5 year old was one of two survivors from the second unit, where the blaze was located inside the three-story building, Thiel said. The other escaped out of a window, he added.Dekwan Robinson, Destiny McDonald, Janiyah Roberts, J'Kwan Robinson, Natasha Wayne, Quientien Tate-McDonald, Quinsha White, Rosalee McDonald, Shaniece Wayne, Taniesha Robinson, Tiffany Robinson and Virginia Thomas.14 people were in the second unit at the time of the fire, and eight in the first unit, Thiel said.
"I believe in our ability to create an environment where you don't have to have 20 or 30 people living in one apartment," City Council President Darrell Clarke said, citing the city's lack of affordable housing as an underlying issue.Authorities will issue a final report when the investigation is completed, which could take months, Thiel said.
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