‘Just devastating’ | Morning Newsletter
And prosecuting Pa.’s Capitol riot defendants
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Today we’re bringing you everything about yesterday’s tragic and deadly house fire in Fairmount. There’s a rundown of what we do and don’t know so far, stories of the victims, the city grappling with an unthinkable loss — and also how you can help.
Also, on the one-year anniversary of the Capitol insurrection, courts are still working through how to prosecute those accused in the attack.
It’s going to be chilly today, high temperatures only in the mid-40s. Bundle up. 🧣
— Kerith Gabriel (@sprtswtr, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
After one of the deadliest fires in Philly history — and one of the nation’s deadliest in decades — plenty of questions remain. We had reporters, photographers, and videographers at and around the scene on the 800 block of North 23rd Street all day and into the night.
Here’s some of what we do and don’t know.
How many people lived in the home? There were at least 26 people living in the three-story rowhouse owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
How many people lost their lives in the fire? At least 12 people were killed, including eight children.
What caused the blaze? Fire officials were still investigating into the night.
How did residents become trapped? Officials said there were no working fire alarms in the house when the blaze broke out. There also wasn’t a fire escape on the upper floors.
Is there a way to help those affected? Yes, there’s already at least one fundraiser set up.
For now, a community mourns.
Stay with us on this one, we’ll be posting live updates all day on Inquirer.com.
What you should know today
We’ve got a running list of the schools in Philly and South Jersey that have moved to virtual learning.
A top Philly union group has endorsed Democratic Congressman Conor Lamb for U.S. Senate.
A FEMA-run coronavirus testing site is expected to open in Southwest Philly today.
A Montco man pleaded guilty to shooting up a Democratic Party office in Norristown because he was frustrated with Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election.
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers returned to the sidelines last night, coming off COVID-19 protocols in a 116-106 win over Orlando.
And do you find using QR codes for menus at restaurants to be a pain? They might not be going anywhere for a while.
Local Coronavirus Numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data.
It’s been quite the conundrum. In what the Justice Department says is the largest investigation in its history, the focus has turned to how to prosecute and punish the more than 700 people — including more than 60 Pennsylvanians — charged so far.
Trials for accused organizers, like Proud Boys member Zach Rehl, are slated for later this year. Meanwhile, judges are wrestling with how to sentence other participants who played a smaller role in the unprecedented attack.
It’s a moment that still finds many, like our columnist Helen Ubiñas, “doom scrolling,” as she urges us to realize that “we have a country to save.”
Our reporters Jeremy Roebuck and Oona Goodin-Smith look at some of the accused from our region and how their cases have unfolded so far.
🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠
It’s official. Fishtown’s iconic St. Laurentius Church, one of the oldest structures in the city, will come down — by hand — as developers received zoning approval yesterday to construct a planned eight-story complex in its place. Today’s question: Do you know when the church and its indelible spires were built? Find the answer here.
What we’re …
👩🎓 Offering: An invitation for area high school students interested in a career in journalism to apply for the annual Acel Moore Journalism Workshop.
💰 Reading: How J.P. Morgan Chase is very quietly filing lawsuits against customers who have defaulted on credit card payments.
🗞️ Remembering: Are you a subscriber who enjoys reading The Inquirer in newspaper form? Let me leave this right here.
Photo of the day
Hoping for a brighter Thursday. 🌞