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Mom arrested after leaving kids in house that caught fire

Philadelphia police and firefighters rescued three children from a burning house Thursday evening - and now their mother is facing charges for allegedly leaving them unattended in the home.

Philadelphia police and firefighters rescued three children from a burning house Thursday evening - and now their mother is facing charges for allegedly leaving them unattended in the home.

The fire began on the 1700 block of North Newkirk Street just before 7 p.m., police said. Neighbors told responding units that children were inside the Brewerytown house.

After police officers couldn't kick through the front door, they broke a front window instead. They managed to pull a 9-year-old boy outside, while firefighters battered down the door and carried out a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl.

Police said the children had been alone in the house for about six hours after their mother left the house.

The 9-year-old told police he found the 4-year-old playing with a lighter in a second-floor bedroom at around 6:30 p.m. and took the lighter away, placing it in a bathroom.

When he came back to the bedroom, he told police, the bed was on fire. The boy tried to put out the fire with water and, when that failed, ran to the back of the house to call for help, police said.

All three children were taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The oldest boy was treated for cuts to his hands and feet. All were treated for smoke inhalation.

Police issued a warrant for the children's mother, Lorraine Wilson, for recklessly endangering the welfare of a child.

The children are currently in the custody of their grandmother.

awhelan@phillynews.com

215-854-2961

@aubreyjwhelan