Pregnant Mom Runs Into Burning Home to Save Child; Both Die

A pregnant mother ran back into her burning row house to rescue her toddler Friday morning in Philadelphia, but died along with the child when smoke prevented their escape, officials said. The woman initially escaped the blaze, which broke out around 4am, with other relatives but realized her toddler was missing, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer said. She ran back inside to try to save the child. She was found with the child in her arms near a second-floor bedroom doorway after heavy smoke and flames prevented them from getting out, Sawyer said.

The fire's cause is under investigation, but five space heaters were found throughout the house. The home had no working smoke detectors, according to Executive Chief Clifford Gilliam. Two adults and four children were taken to a hospital, where they are in stable condition, Gilliam said. Someone in the house initially tried to extinguish the blaze on his own, Sawyer said. "Because they were trying to fight the fire, it delayed everyone getting out," he said. (More Philadelphia stories.)