QUEEN VILLAGE – April 6, 2013 (WPVI) — A Philadelphia fire captain was killed and another firefighter was injured in a 3-alarm fire at a fabric building in Queen Village.
The flames broke out around 6:00 Saturday night on the 700 block of South 4th Street and spread to several row homes.
Heavy smoke filled the area and could be seen from miles away. Several people were evacuated.
Philadelphia firefighters had to rescue one of their own who was trapped in the debris.
Firefighters stood side by side and saluted 53-year-old Captain Michael Goodwin from Ladder 27b. He was killed in a fall from the third floor roof to the second.
The fire roared out of control for hours from the three story building on the stretch known as “Fabric Row.”
Neighbors say the fire started in the basement of a business called Jack B Fabrics and spread to other parts of the business and apartments upstairs.
Another firefighter 28-year-old Andrew Godlinski, suffered burns while trying to save his fallen captain. He was treated at a local hospital and is expected to survive.
The fire forced several residential evacuations and sent several blocks into darkness.
At one point PECO reported more than 300 customers without power as firefighters worked to contain the blaze but service has since been restored.
The Red Cross is assisting at least 17 people. Anyone affected can go to the Nebinger School at 6th and Carpenter streets for assistance.
Captain Goodwin, a 29 year veteran of the department, leaves behind a wife and two children.
He also has a brother who works as a Philadelphia police officer.
Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers described Goodwin as “a really good person, a friend of mine.”
Nearly a year ago on April 9, Philadelphia firefighters mourned the loss of Lt. Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, who were killed battled a 5-alarm warehouse fire in Kensington.
Mayor Michael Nutter has ordered flags to be at half staff for the next 30 days in honor of the fallen hero.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9055293
