A 27-year-old Philadelphia Fire Department veteran has died in a building collapse

A firefighter in Philadelphia died in a fire that collapsed a building, leaving five people trapped.

On Saturday morning, Philadelphia Fire Department firefighters responded to a fire in a commercial building in the Fairhill area.

The fire was put out within 15 minutes and the family was able to escape without injury.

But 90 minutes later, when officials inspected the damage, the building collapsed, and there were still five firefighters and a building inspector inside.

On Saturday morning, ambulance crews are working to reach firefighters trapped in a house collapse

Officials say they initially rescued four people, but worked several hours to find and rescue the other two people after losing contact

Firefighters carry the body of their fellow firefighter from Philadelphia after taking him out from under the rubble of a collapsed commercial building

First Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy described it as a “collapse on a pancake” in which part of the destroyed material fell to the surface and another could lean against a wall, creating space.

“There were a lot of voids,” Murphy said CNN.

Officials say they initially rescued four people, but worked for hours to find and rescue the other two people after losing contact.

In the photos of the staff of the first rapid response service clear the debris from the sudden collapse of the house, which left six people

Rapid Response Service staff worked for hours to reach all six people, including five firefighters and one building inspector

The aftermath of the collapse of a commercial building in Philadelphia on Saturday morning

First Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy described it as a “collapse on a pancake” in which part of the material that collapsed fell to the surface and another could lean against a wall, creating space.

Early Saturday, Philadelphia Fire Department firefighters responded to a fire at a commercial building in the Fairhill area

Ultimately four firefighters and An employee of the city licensing and inspection was rescued and sent to a local hospital.

But one firefighter, an unknown 27-year veteran of the department, died in the crash.

“It’s a sad day for the Philadelphia Fire Department,” Murphy said. “Unfortunately, our department lost an employee who bravely fought the fire and then died as a result of the collapse of the building.”

As of Saturday morning, the licensing officer had been released and four firefighters remained hospitalized in stable condition, Commissioner Murphy said.

The cause of the fire is being investigated, but no suspects have been identified.