Fire gutted and burned Carol Sims Chevy Trailblazer overnight while it was parked in her driveway on Birwood.
She woke to the sight and sound of flames, then raced to protect her car and children.
"We got everyone out and my husband was out here with a hose until the fire company came," explained Sims.
"Sims' S-U-V is one of six vehicles found torched overnight in Northeast Philadelphia.
Lisa Pilotti's husband only had six more payments left on his burned out truck.
"Why, " she wondered out loud. "I mean I don't know. You have to be not right in the head to do something like this."
Police are calling the fires suspicious.
All of them within a one mile radius of each other, all five locations called in or spotted within an hours time.
Two vans in the 8200 block of Castor were the first to go up in flames around 3:20 Sunday morning.
A company called P.A.T.H uses them to transport people with special needs.
"Senseless," said Jeff Brown the CEO of P.A.T.H "I don't think people understand the consequences of what they do."
Investigators believe a flammable liquid poured around the driver's side doors of most of the vehicles started the fires
In a neighborhood of charred trucks and S-U-Vs the Cioccas are counting their blessings. The fire started in the bed of their truck, then spread to their house. Endangering their three children. Ages 8 to 3.
"Someone luckily was passing by and saw the truck was on fire," said Robin Ciocca. They knocked on door and helped us get the kids out. Thank God for good people."
Monday, May 20 2013 7:48 AM EDT2013-05-20 11:48:34 GMT
Pounding winds and violent surf from Hurricane Sandy left their mark on Ocean City, NJ. Beaches were washed out and there's concern about debris washing up. But Mayor Jay Gillian says no need to worry.
Mayor of Ocean City says no need to worry about debris filled beaches after Hurricane Sandy. He says plans have been taking place to make sure they're safe and clean.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:44:23 GMT
In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America vote to ease a divisive ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted into the nation's leading youth organization.
In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America vote to ease a divisive ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted into the nation's leading youth organization.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:25:16 GMT
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:49 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:49:28 GMT
Your Friday will feature steadier showers and thunderstorms early giving way to scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. We reach an early High of 64, followed by falling temperatures. Winds pick up out of the NW 10 to 15 mph. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks cool with highs in the low to mid 60s.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:03:32 GMT
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:32:02 GMT
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
