Ooops
WEST PHILADELPHIA-October 4, 2004 — A group of West Philadelphia residents is reeling after a roofing job went bad, and the resulting inferno reduced cars to hunks of charred metal.
Marie Staley hired a roofing company to work on her house on Dearborn Street. The people from Singleton Roofing were on the job early this morning. But when Staley walked outside to check on their progress, Dearborn Street was on fire.
Marie Staley/West Philadelphia: "I went out the house then I saw the car on fire. Then I just started running down trying to get people out of the house."
People who live on this block quickly started running for their car keys in the hope that they get to their vehicles ahead of the smoldering river of tar.
Cheryl Boyd/West Philadelphia: "But when I came out all I could see was flames moving down the street... I have 2 cars out on the street... that one was already gone up in flames. All I could see was the flames and the smoke, couldn't even see my car."
People from the roofing company say someone apparently forgot to lower a kick standing that prevents the tar kiln from toppling when it's in operation. Julius Singleton, owner of Singleton Roofing says, the whole thing is embarrassing.
Julius Singleton/Singleton Roofing: "I been in the 'hood about forty some years, this is the first time it's happened. Just a little accident that's all." Firefighters needed about 30 minutes to bring the situation under control. Damage estimates are about $100,000. Singleton was apparently checking to see if he has the proper insurance coverage to handle this kind of accident.