In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a devastating fire tore through Pennick Funeral Home in North Philadelphia. The century-old establishment, located on Montgomery Avenue in Brewerytown, has been a cherished part of the community since 1928. However, now stands as a smoldering reminder of its storied past.
Shelli Pennick, the third-generation owner of the funeral home, spoke passionately about the importance of keeping her family business alive. She took over the family business from her grandmother and was grateful that her 87-year-old mother and 16-year-old nephew were able to escape safely when the fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. Pennick’s nephew alerted everyone to evacuate the premises and firefighters safely removed the remains of the deceased from the reposing room.
Despite the tragedy that has befallen her beloved establishment, Pennick expressed immense gratitude for her community’s support during this difficult time. She was overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness and support from those around her, with many reaching out to offer help and comfort. As investigations into the cause of the fire continue with Philadelphia Fire Marshal’s office, Pennick is already thinking about rebuilding and restoring her family’s legacy.
Pennick vowed to get things back on track and continue serving her community even in these trying times. She emphasized the importance of being there for people during their darkest moments and expressed her deepest appreciation for the support she has received from those around her.