Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia, PA, December 5, 2025
A tragic fire in a Strawberry Mansion rowhome resulted in the death of a relative of City Councilman Jeffery Young Jr. The electrical issue sparked the blaze, spreading to nearby homes and leading to significant losses and a call for community vigilance. Councilman Young expressed his condolences, marking it as a personal tragedy for his family while stressing the importance of fire safety measures in the neighborhood.
Philadelphia City Councilman’s Relative Dies in Strawberry Mansion Rowhome Fire
Philadelphia, PA – A tragic fire in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood has resulted in the death of a relative of City Councilman Jeffery Young Jr. The blaze erupted on November 28 in a three-story rowhome on the 3200 block of Ridge Avenue. Councilman Young confirmed that his cousin’s brother was among the victims. He expressed condolences, stating that this is a personal loss for his family and their hearts are with all those affected.
Fire Details
Philadelphia fire officials have determined that an electrical issue was the cause of the fire, which spread to an adjacent home and took approximately 45 minutes to control. During the firefighting efforts, an individual was captured on camera breaking into two fire department trucks, stealing keys and personal items. Additionally, a firefighter’s personal vehicle was stolen but was later recovered on Saturday in the 1800 block of Oxford Street. No arrests have been made in connection with these incidents.
Background on Strawberry Mansion Fires
The Strawberry Mansion area has experienced several significant fires in recent years. In June 2025, a deliberately set fire in the 2500 block of North Corlies Street resulted in the deaths of a mother and her two children. In January 2022, a fire in the Fairmount neighborhood, adjacent to Strawberry Mansion, claimed the lives of 12 people, including nine children.
Community Response
Councilman Young has called for increased community vigilance and support for first responders. He emphasized the need for accountability and urged anyone with information about the thefts during the fire response to come forward to ensure justice is served.
Fire Safety Measures
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges related to fire safety in Philadelphia’s older residential areas. Residents are encouraged to ensure their homes are equipped with functional smoke detectors and to be aware of fire safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What caused the fire in Strawberry Mansion?
The fire was caused by an electrical issue in a three-story rowhome on the 3200 block of Ridge Avenue.
Who was affected by the fire?
A relative of City Councilman Jeffery Young Jr., specifically his cousin’s brother, was among the victims.
What other incidents occurred during the firefighting efforts?
During the firefighting efforts, an individual was captured on camera breaking into two fire department trucks, stealing keys and personal items. Additionally, a firefighter’s personal vehicle was stolen but was later recovered on Saturday in the 1800 block of Oxford Street. No arrests have been made in connection with these incidents.
Has this area experienced similar incidents before?
Yes, the Strawberry Mansion area has experienced several significant fires in recent years, including a deliberately set fire in June 2025 that resulted in the deaths of a mother and her two children.
What measures are being taken to improve fire safety?
Residents are encouraged to ensure their homes are equipped with functional smoke detectors and to be aware of fire safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.
What caused the fire in Strawberry Mansion?
The fire was caused by an electrical issue in a three-story rowhome on the 3200 block of Ridge Avenue.
Who was affected by the fire?
A relative of City Councilman Jeffery Young Jr., specifically his cousin’s brother, was among the victims.
What other incidents occurred during the firefighting efforts?
During the firefighting efforts, an individual was captured on camera breaking into two fire department trucks, stealing keys and personal items. Additionally, a firefighter’s personal vehicle was stolen but was later recovered on Saturday in the 1800 block of Oxford Street. No arrests have been made in connection with these incidents.
Has this area experienced similar incidents before?
Yes, the Strawberry Mansion area has experienced several significant fires in recent years, including a deliberately set fire in June 2025 that resulted in the deaths of a mother and her two children.
What measures are being taken to improve fire safety?
Residents are encouraged to ensure their homes are equipped with functional smoke detectors and to be aware of fire safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 3200 block of Ridge Avenue, Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia, PA |
| Date of Incident | November 28, 2025 |
| Victim | Relative of City Councilman Jeffery Young Jr. (councilman’s cousin’s brother) |
| Cause of Fire | Electrical issue |
| Fire Response Duration | Approximately 45 minutes |
| Additional Incidents | Individual captured on camera breaking into two fire department trucks; firefighter’s personal vehicle stolen and later recovered |
| Previous Incidents in Area | June 2025: Deliberately set fire resulting in deaths of mother and two children; January 2022: Fire in Fairmount neighborhood resulting in 12 deaths, including nine children |
| Community Response | Councilman Young calls for increased community vigilance and support for first responders; urges anyone with information about thefts during fire response to come forward |
| Fire Safety Measures | Residents encouraged to ensure homes are equipped with functional smoke detectors and to be aware of fire safety protocols |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
