Candle caused apartment-building fire, officials say

A five-alarm blaze in Northeast Philadelphia that left more than 80 people homeless was caused by a candle, a fire official said today.

The predawn Sunday fire consumed a 41-unit building at the Austin Manor Apartments on Rising Sun Avenue near Tyson Avenue and sent 23 people, including four firefighters, to the hospital. Some leaped from windows in the three-story building to escape the flames. Three people were reported in critical condition.

The firefighters were not seriously injured and have been released from the hospital, said Executive Fire Chief Daniel A. Williams. The fire was reported around 4:30 a.m. and was placed under control about two hours later.