The cause of a fire that destroyed a house just off campus Saturday has still not been determined, Philadelphia Fire Department Executive Chief Daniel Williams said yesterday.
The fire broke out at about 6:15 a.m. Saturday at 210 S. 41st St. No one was injured, but the flames gutted the building and forced residents to evacuate. The building has since been condemned by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
The fire is still under investigation, Williams said, adding that the Fire Marshal will not make a determination until all evidence is gathered.
Lt. William Johnson of the Office of the Fire Marshal, who is in charge of the investigation, was not available for further comment.
As for the eight Penn students displaced by the fire, officials from the office of the Vice Provost for University Life said they have been receiving comprehensive assistance from the University, including efforts to secure them new housing, clothing and school supplies.
Sharon Smith, director of student-intervention services for VPUL, said all but one of the students signed a lease at the Hub condominium complex, located at 40th and Chestnut streets.
Division of Public Safety spokeswoman Karima Zedan added that all of the students have secured either on- or off-campus housing.
The students had been staying at the University City Sheraton since Saturday's fire.
VPUL, the Division of Business Services and DPS have also worked to recover and replace many lost items, DPS officials said.
Smith said the Penn Bookstore will provide replacement books at no charge, and the Computer Connection will offer students a discount.
A partnership with the Red Cross has been formed to give the students a clothing allowance, and they have also received emotional support from Counseling and Psychological Services and DPS, Smith said.
Smith characterized the effort to provide assistance as a "very smooth process" that has "worked very well on behalf of the students."
College junior Raha Mozaffari, who lived in the gutted building, expressed appreciation for the support she and the others have received from the University.
"Penn has been so helpful," she said. "All the departments have been doing a great job."
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