Fire gutted the top floor of an off-campus apartment building last night, leaving dozens of students homeless during Spring Fling weekend. According to William Shoepe, the owner of 4002 Spruce Street, the blaze started around 8:30 p.m. last night when a tenant left incense burning unattended. Shoepe said the Philadelphia Fire Department responded within minutes. "My concern is that the Penn community learn from this," said Shoepe, who said he frequently warns his tenants of the dangers of leaving incense or candles burning. Although the top floor of the building was the only floor destroyed by the fire, the other floors in the building, as well as 4000 and 4004 Spruce Street, sustained water or smoke damage. Michael's Custom Cuts and Nara's Japanese restaurant - both located directly beneath the fire - were damaged by water. Billybob's, the popular bar and restaurant located at 4000 Spruce Street, received minimal damage. Penn has housed several of the students affected by the blaze in the University City Sheraton. "The University of Penn stepped up to the plate real quick," Shoepe said.
Check out The Daily Pennsylvanian or www.dailypennsylvanian.com on Monday for more details.
