Nearly 40 Families Homeless After Fire

Nearly 40 families were left homeless on New Year’s Day after a suspicious fire swept through a four-story apartment building in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, fire officials said. Thirty-one people were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries, including 13 police officers who went door to door to evacuate the building when flames erupted in the morning. At least one police officer remained hospitalized by evening. Several people were injured after jumping from the second and third stories while others screamed from upper-floor windows and waited for help to arrive. Witnesses said some apartment dwellers tossed children to firefighters. City fire officials said they believe the four-alarm fire was arson.