Philadelphia man scales down side of 19-story building to escape fire

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

What to Know
By Ann Smajstrla, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
July 19, 2019
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A man in Philadelphia was able to make a harrowing escape from a fire by scaling down the side of a 19-story apartment building.

The escape was captured on video by several local media outlets. The unnamed man made it down the side of the building in about three minutes, unharmed, WCAU-TV reported.

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"He climbed about 200 feet down on what looked like basically chain link fencing and then the railings of each apartment building," said WCAU-TV helicopter pilot Jeremy Haas.

Why the man chose to evacuate the building in this manner is unclear.

Firefighters responded to the apartment building, known as Holden Tower, around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, WPVI-TV reported. The fire is believed to have started in a trash chute. The building was evacuated.

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Four residents and three police officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, KYW-TV reported.

The fire was contained by 11 p.m. Residents were allowed back in the building early Friday.

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About the Author

Ann Smajstrla, Cox Media Group National Content Desk