PHILADELPHIA – Officials provided the following update on the progress of the City’s operations in response to a four-alarm fire on the 200 block of Chestnut Street.

Work at the scene has proven to be unusually complex and high risk, due to factors including the interconnection and age of the buildings (built in the 1850’s), the severity of the fire damage, the unpredictability of how an unstable building will respond to disturbances, and the area’s narrow streets and high population density. Poor weather, including tropical storm-force winds, has caused further delays.

“Protecting the public from the threat of building collapse at the site of the fire remains the City’s overriding concern,” stated David Perri, Commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Numerous properties initially affected by the fire have been cleared for reoccupancy. City efforts are now centered on three buildings:

• 239 Chestnut, where the fire broke out, must be made safe by stabilizing the party (side) walls and removing a large deck and other overhead debris, in order for Philadelphia Fire Marshals and the ATF to enter the space to investigate, and for removal of the ruins.

• 237 Chestnut, also ravaged by the fire, is being stabilized to make it safe enough for work on 239 Chestnut to begin.

• 241-43 Chestnut must be braced to prevent it from being destabilized in the course of the work to be done at 239.

Two cranes will be needed for much of this effort. Barring further weather delays, it is expected that the cranes will be brought to the location in 7 to 9 days. While one will grip and remove items, the other will be outfitted to serve as stable footing for workers; due to the failure of roof and floor systems caused by the fire, there is no other place for them to stand.

Currently, all streets, other than Chestnut between 3rd and Bank, are open to traffic. Unfortunately, part of 3^rd Street will have to be reclosed for placement of one of the cranes. L&I, OEM, and the Streets, Fire, and Police Departments are committed to minimizing the impact on vehicle and pedestrian travel, as safety allows.

Although this part of the city is not ordinarily eligible, the Department of Commerce has opened its Storefront Improvement Program to businesses impacted by the fire. Businesses in the area can apply for the SIP grants, which provide 50% reimbursement up to $10,000, using the normal application process.

Working with the Old City District, the Department of Commerce is continuing outreach to assess the impact of the fire and its aftermath on businesses, as well as potential eligibility for emergency federal SBA loans. For more information, affected businesses can email business@phila.gov or contact Carol Brooks, Business Development Manager, at (215) 683-2127.