A longtime Delaware County firefighter was killed after a second-alarm apartment fire tore through a Drexel Hill building over the weekend, critically injuring his wife and forcing dozens of residents from their homes, officials announced on Monday, Dec. 22.

Tony Rowley, 58, a veteran member of the Lansdowne Fire Company, suffered fatal injuries after a fire broke out inside his apartment at the Llanerch Place Apartments on the 3200 block of Township Line Road just after 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, according to the Upper Darby Township Fire Department.

Firefighters were dispatched for a reported apartment fire with entrapment and quickly discovered a working fire on the second floor of the three-story, 20-unit building, fire officials said.

” data-original_data=”PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0iZS1pbm5lciI+PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0iZmItcG9zdCIgZGF0YS1ocmVmPSJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vcGhvdG8vP2ZiaWQ9MTUxOTY3NTUxOTYzNTA2MiZhbXA7c2V0PXBjYi4xNTE5NjgzOTQyOTY3NTUzIiBkYXRhLXdpZHRoPSI1NTIiPjwvZGl2PjwvZGl2Pg==” data-post_url=”https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1519675519635062&set=pcb.1519683942967553″ data-testid=”article-embedded-element” js-embedded=”” js-module=”DeferUntilLCP”>

During fire operations, two severely injured civilians were rescued from the building by Upper Darby firefighters and turned over to paramedics. One firefighter from Drexel Hill’s Ladder 20 sustained burn injuries while assisting with the rescue and was transported to Temple Hospital. That firefighter has since been released and is recovering, officials said.

Rowley was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Another victim remains in critical condition, while six additional people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

Rowley’s wife, Anne Rowley, a former Media EMT, was critically injured and remains hospitalized at Jefferson Hospital, according to fire officials.

Firefighters from Upper Darby, Lansdowne, and multiple surrounding departments rescued residents using portable and aerial ladders. Officials said flames were contained to one second-floor apartment, but smoke caused significant damage to apartments on the second and third floors, while water damage impacted units below.

Approximately 75 residents were displaced by the fire. Delaware County Emergency Services, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other support organizations assisted those affected, officials said.

Members of the Lansdowne Fire Company praised the efforts of Upper Darby firefighters, calling their rescue attempts “truly heroic” in a statement.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Upper Darby Fire Marshals and Upper Darby police, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit.

A fundraiser has been launched through The Yard Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to support Rowley’s wife and child as they face ongoing medical recovery and housing needs. According to the campaign, all funds raised will go directly to the family to help cover medical expenses and essential costs.

Funeral arrangements for Rowley have not yet been released.


to follow Daily Voice

Lansdowne-Darby

and receive free news updates.