Two survive house collapse in West Philadelphia

Motorcyclist killed in crash on Kelly Drive
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A West Philadelphia couple reportedly escaped uninjured after their home collapsed early Wednesday morning, thanks to a timely warning from their cat.

According to several reports, at about 4:45 a.m., a row home collapsed along the unit block of South Ruby Street in West Philadelphia as two people slept inside. As reported by NBC Philadelphia, the couple was rescued by a passerby who helped them escape from the rubble after a load-bearing wall crumbled, causing the home to fall.

The couple’s cat Baxter reportedly woke them up to the sound of cracking in the house around them, according to Fox29.

A woman who lived in the home reportedly told ABC News that she heard a “creaking” and thought her cat was acting funny shortly before the collapse.

At about 8 a.m, NBC reporter Steven Fisher shared this video of the cat, which had run away after the collapse, being rescued: 

A mural along the side of the home that read “I wanna call you names” was destroyed in the collapse. It was part of artist Steve Powers’ 50-mural “A Love Letter For You” series for the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.

Contacted Wednesday morning, a representative from the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections said the department is currently investigating the collapse.

This breaking news story will be updated as more information is made available.