12-Year-Old Autistic Boy Killed in West Philly Fire

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12-Year-Old Autistic Boy Killed in West Philly Fire

Updated 10:17 PM EDT, Sat, Aug 7, 2010

Philadelphia police say a 12-year-old autistic boy was killed in a house fire in

West Philadelphia Saturday.

Investigators say the fire broke out shortly before 7 p.m. at a home located at

137 South 55th Street. The young boy was discovered in a room on the second

floor of the home, according to investigators.

Firefighters were able to rescue a woman from the second floor roof. The victim

was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for treatment.

The fire was placed under control around 7:30 p.m. Two firefighters suffered

minor injuries. One of the firefighters fell through the stairway while trying

to save the little boy. Both were also transported to the Hospital of the

University of Pennsylvania for treatment.

Officials say there were no working fire alarms in the home.

" We saw smoke alarms in the home. Unfortunately the smoke alarm that I found did

not have the cover removed before you put it into service, " Philadelphia Fire

Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.

Four homes suffered damage, according to firefighters.

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.