Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia. Courtesy photo. / null

Philadelphia, Pa., Jan 5, 2022 / 14:00 pm (CNA).

Following a fire in a Philadelphia apartment building that killed at least 13 on Wednesday, the city’s archbishop offered condolences and prayed for those who died.

“In the name of the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I extend my deep condolences to all those in mourning. Please join me in praying fervently for the happy repose of the those who have died, for the speedy recovery of those who were injured, and in gratitude for the fire, police, and medical personnel responding to this tragedy,” Archbishop Nelson Perez said Jan. 5.

“May the Lord wrap his loving mantle of mercy around them all.”

The fire occurred at a public housing block owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. There are believed to have been 26 people in the building when the fire started around 6 am. Seven children are known to be among the dead.

A public housing official said the building was inspected in May, and that smoke detectors were then working.