Investigators cannot determine cause of Chelten Ave. flower-store blaze

Philadelphia Fire Department officials said Tuesday that, after several days of investigation, the cause of the Feb. 1 blaze which gutted a East Chelten Avenue flower stop will be listed as “undetermined.”

Executive Chief Richard Davidson said those investigating the scene at 921-23 E. Chelten Ave. were unable to discern how exactly the early morning fire started and left the building as a charred shell missing half of its roof.

On Monday, there was activity at the Food Designs By Axelrod & Bennett catering building next door which, like Flowers By Janette, is owned by Bruce and Janette Axelrod. The grate was down and windows boarded over at the flower shop with a city Licenses & Inspection warning flyer posted to the side of the building.

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