NEWS RELEASE

Case 08-016962
Tuesday, April 08, 2008           

On Monday, April 7, 2008 at 11:22 AM, numerous calls were received regarding an explosion in the Hollywood section of Abington Township.  Responding police officers observed that the house at 638 Los Angeles Avenue was fully engulfed in flames.  When the first officer arrived on the scene, he observed that several people passing through the area, had observed the fire and stopped to provide assistance.  These individuals were attempting to pull a male from a first floor window of the home.  The window had an iron frame that was not large enough to allow the male to be pulled to safety and the flames and intense heat eventually drove the would-be rescuers back. 

McKinley, Rockledge, Abington Township Fire Company and other Abington Fire Companies arrived on the scene and found that flames were already erupting through the roof.  Fire Companies gained entrance and removed the male who was transported to Abington Hospital by the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad.  This male, 42 years of age, succumbed to his injuries at Abington Memorial Hospital.  His identity is being withheld pending notification of relatives. 

The fire was extinguished and as is routine in a fatal fire, the investigation is continuing by Abington Fire Marshal Ken Clark, along with Abington Police Detective Division, Montgomery County District Attorney’s office and Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Unit.

Approved for Release by: Deputy Chief John A. Livingood