Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility In wake of Kensington fire, Giral urges residents to practice fire safety

In wake of Kensington fire, Giral urges residents to practice fire safety

Rep. Jose Giral    February 5, 2026 | 2:58 PM

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Jose Giral, D-Phila., issued the following statement in response to a fast-spreading row home fire that damaged five properties and injured a Philadelphia firefighter in Kensington on Wednesday morning. 

“I’m extremely grateful that none of the residents of these row homes on B Street lost their lives in the blaze yesterday morning,” said Giral, who represents House District 180, which includes the densely-populated Kensington, Harrowgate, Juniata and Hunting Park neighborhoods. “I’m also grateful that the firefighter injured during the response seems to have sustained only minor injuries.

“Yesterday was traumatic for the families in those homes, but at any moment, house fires can become tragic. This fire spread from one row home to a total of five in the 40 minutes it took our firefighters to get the flames under control. That’s fast. That’s significant.

“While the cause of the fire is unclear, I’m concerned that the fire department noted the homes involved did not appear to have smoke detectors – an important first step in getting fires under control quickly.

“I urge our residents to make sure they have smoke detectors properly installed, and to check the batteries on smoke detectors regularly. Together, we can help our firefighters respond more quickly and save more homes from fire, by alerting them at the first sign of trouble.”

Rep. Giral’s office is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Philadelphia Fire Department to help prevent future incidents by distributing smoke detectors to the community.

Residents interested in requesting smoke alarms can get assistance through 311 Philly, call Giral’s office at (215) 291-5643 for help, or stop by his office from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 3503 B St., Unit 7, Philadelphia, PA 19134.