Legendary record company damaged in fire

A strong fire swept through the Broad Street offices of Philadelphia International Records today, causing extensive damage to the celebrated music company where Chubby Checker recorded "The Twist," and where songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff developed their soulful Philadelphia sound.

Investigators, who arrived on the scene four minutes after the 7:28 a.m. alarm, were working yesterday to determine the cause of the blaze. They immediately escorted an unidentified man from the three-story building on the corner of Spruce Street, across from the Kimmel Center.

He was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital with minor injuries, and was being questioned, said Battalion Chief Derrick Sawyer. He would only describe the man as "an adult male."

The fire began on the third floor, in Philadelphia International's main offices, where dozens of its gold albums adorn the walls. Sawyer said that firefighters made a special effort to save the memorabilia, even as they cut through the roof to attack the spreading flames.

"This is part of Philadelphia's history," he explained. "One of the few things we have are our memories."

The fire was brought under control in 57 minutes.

Chuck Gamble, a Philadelphia International vice president, and the nephew of Kenny Gamble, said he was still trying to determine how much damage had been sustained by the offices and the '70s-era recording studio.

That studio has hosted a parade of soul stars from Patti LaBelle to Lou Rawls, and still has its original orange-colored shag carpet on the walls. Some of the office's interior design dates from the '50s, when Cigna Sound Studio occupied the space.

Gamble said he was alerted to the fire at 8:30 a.m. when he received a call from the security company that operates the alarm system.

"When I arrived there was smoke coming out of the windows to the executive offices and the computer room," Gamble said. "I saw they pulled a young man out."

At one point, flames lapped out of the rear windows, but none of the neighboring buildings was ever threatened.

Sawyer said most of the damage was contained to the third floor, and is fairly superficial, other than for the holes made in the roof by firefighters. Passersby could see that glass had been knocked out of several third-floor windows, and one or two on the ground floor. But Sawyer emphasized, "the building is in pretty good shape."

In addition to the city fire marshal, investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were also on the scene, looking into the cause of the blaze. An agency official said it was standard practice to investigate all fires involving businesses.

The building, which also houses the Utrecht art supply store on the ground floor, is owned by Huff, Kenny Gamble and their partner, Tommy Bell, said Chuck Gamble. Although the early 20th Century building has seen a lot of historic moments, Chuck Gamble said the structure is not listed as a city landmark.

The Spruce Street corner has long been envisioned as a location for a high-rise condo. Developer Carl Dranoff, who partnered with Kenny Gamble on Symphony House at Broad and Pine and 777 Broad at Fitzwater, has talked about joining forces again to build a tower that would extend from the Spruce Street corner to the century-old Chambers-Wylie Presbyterian Church in the middle of the block. The empty lot on the church's north side is currently owned by the University of the Arts.

More than 100 fire personnel from Ladder 5 and Battalian 1 at Broad and Christian Streets responded to the two-alarm blaze, Sawyer said. Four engines and two ladders were sent to the scene.

Contact staff writer Inga Saffron at 215-854-2213 or isaffron@phillynews.com.