The victim of Saturday’s apartment fire was a longtime Lansdowne firefighter.
Lansdowne Fire Company announced Monday that longtime member Tony Rowley, 58, was the victim of the Saturday morning blaze at Llanerch Place Apartments on Township Line Road in Upper Darby.
In a post on social media, officials said Rowley had been recently dealing with medical issues and was at his apartment when the fire struck. His wife, Anne, also suffered severe injuries as well, and is currently hospitalized.
Rowley had served as vice president, ambulance lieutenant and firefighter while at Lansdowne Fire Company.
Anne Rowley was an EMT in Media. She is hospitalized at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Additionally, one Upper Darby firefighter suffered burns, and six other victims were transported with injuries. The firefighter was released later the same day. The status of the others was unclear.
A fundraising effort has been set up through the Yard Foundation. It is looking to raise $33,000 to help the family.
In a phone call Monday, Tony Di Novo of the Yard Foundation said his Chicago-area nonprofit assists firefighters and their families in need of immediate help.
DiNovo said the 501C (3) organization was begun from the concept of firefighters helping fellow members from a Facebook group, which grew and grew. In that spirit they are able to return 103.43 percent of all funds raised. The 343 honors the 343 firefighters who died on 911 at the World Trade Center.
“Our mission is to replace platforms that charge fees,” Di Novo said.
He was contacted by a Delaware County-area firefighter about the Rowleys situation. He said they work to get all funds to family members within a short amount of time.
The Saturday fire also impacted 42 apartments, with displaced residents sheltered at the Drexel Hill Middle School.
The Red Cross and Salvation Army assisted with finding temporary accommodations for all displaced residents.
The fire was contained to one apartment, however officials said there was significant damage to other apartments on the second and third floors. This is the second serious fire at that complex in the last two years.
The fire is under investigation by the township fire marshal’s office and the police department, along with a state police fire marshal.
Fire company officials ask to keep the Rowley family in your thoughts and prayers.