On Friday night, June 1st, at around 7:30, Jenkintown Police and Fire Department received calls about a fire at 219 Summit Ave. A heavy fire had engulfed the first and second floor of the residence and first responders received a report that a person was trapped in the building.

Firefighters began to try to extinguish the fire and search for the resident, eventually finding them on the second floor, unconscious. Although immediately initiating life-saving treatment, the victim eventually succumbed to their injuries and smoke inhalation and was pronounced dead at Abington Jefferson Hospital. The name of the victim is being withheld until the family is notified.

Residents of the building next door were evacuated. Due to the intense heat and smoke, fire companies from Abington Township, Cheltenham Township, and Springfield Township responded to assist the Jenkintown Fire Department. EMS units from Second Alarmers Rescue Squad,
Cheltenham EMS and Horsham Fire Company also assisted at the scene. One firefighter went to the hospital with a possible heart attack and another for heat exhaustion.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Jenkintown Fire Marshal, as well as assistance from the fire marshals from Cheltenham, Lower Moreland and the PA State Fire Marshal.