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6 hospitalized after Northwood blaze

Six people were taken to hospitals after an early-morning fire in Northeast Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Fire Department said crews were called to the blaze in the two-story rowhouse on the 4600 block of Oakland Street in the Northwood section just before 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Six people were taken to hospitals after an early-morning fire in Northeast Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Fire Department said crews were called to the blaze in the two-story rowhouse on the 4600 block of Oakland Street in the Northwood section just before 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Six people - four adults and two children - were transported to hospitals in stable condition, the fire department said.

All six made it out of the burning home before fire crews arrived, including one who escaped the blaze by jumping from a rear window, Executive Chief Clifford Gilliam said.

The house had working smoke detectors, which alerted the residents to the fire.

"Smoke alarms saved lives this morning," Gilliam said. "They took quick action and they were all able to get out."

Fire officials said further details about the victims or their conditions weren't available, but emergency scanner reports said those injured included the 26-year-old woman who leaped from the window, a 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old girl. The woman was complaining of neck pain and burns, while the children suffered smoke inhalation, scanner reports said.

A cat and dog died in the fire, according to the Red Paw Relief Team, a nonprofit that works with emergency responders to help pets during disasters. Two other dogs that belonged to the injured residents will be cared for by family, the group said.

It took firefighters about half an hour to place the blaze, which started in the living room, under control.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Tuesday afternoon.

The blaze also spread to three additional properties. It wasn't known how much damage the homes sustained.