Frankford man dies in fire

An elderly Frankford man died after a fire swept through his rowhouse early Sunday morning.

The blaze in the 5300 block of Frankford Avenue was reported at 8:18 and under control within 30 minutes, officials said.

Two older men lived in the home and were taken to Temple University Hospital where one died and the other remained in stable condition, authorities said.

Neighbors identified the deceased as John Blitchford, 84, owner of a local auto repair shop.

The other person pulled from the fire had not been identified immediately. The cause remains under investigation.