Woman, 2 grandchildren killed in Philadelphia rowhome fire

PHILADELPHIA — Authorities say a fire at a Philadelphia rowhome packed with personal items has killed a woman and her two young grandchildren.

The fire broke out in the woman’s home around 1 p.m. Saturday and was brought under control about 90 minutes later. The victims were all found in the home, but their names and further details about them have not been released.

Authorities say the home was filled with furniture, clothing and other personal belongings, and that hampered their rescue efforts. They also say the home had no working smoke detectors.

The children’s mother told fire officials that she had dropped them off at the home earlier in the day so their grandmother could babysit them.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.