Weekend Philly fire shows importance of multiple escape routes, officials say

A Southwest Philadelphia fire that killed four children over the weekend should serve as a warning for those who don’t a fire safety plan for their home, city fire prevention officials said.

Although the homes destroyed early Saturday apparently had smoke detectors, residents may have struggled to find a way out since the blaze is thought to have started on a porch, which could have blocked the primary escape route from the houses, officials said.

Everyone should have multiple ways to exit a home in the event of fire, said Peter Crespo, executive chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department.