Fire breaks out overnight at the historic Art Alliance building located on Rittenhouse Square.

Early Friday morning, a significant two-alarm fire erupted at the Art Alliance building located on Rittenhouse Square, a property of historical importance. This building was sold last year amid the bankruptcy proceedings of the University of the Arts, which previously owned it. During the firefighting efforts, one firefighter sustained injuries.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at approximately 3:19 a.m. when smoke was reported billowing from the structure’s roof. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered intense flames engulfing the three-story building at 251 S. 18th Street. Fire department spokesperson Rachel Cunningham noted that the situation escalated quickly, prompting a full response from all available units at 3:54 a.m.

The rapidly spreading fire necessitated the deployment of additional resources, including two extra engines and two additional ladder units. The situation worsened, leading to a second alarm being issued at 4:22 a.m., which resulted in more than 120 firefighters being dispatched to the scene. The fire was officially declared under control by 5:36 a.m. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) treated and transported the injured firefighter, who is expected to recover.

As of now, officials have not determined the fire’s cause, and the extent of the damage to the building—known for its theater and gallery—is not yet clear. The fire disrupted the sleep of nearby residents and prompted social media users to share videos showing smoke still rising from the site in the early morning light.

This incident occurs during a tumultuous phase for the Art Alliance building, which recently changed ownership after being auctioned as part of the University of the Arts’ asset liquidation process in bankruptcy court. The property was one of several, and when it was auctioned, a bidding conflict emerged, revealing competing visions for its future. In particular, the Pennsylvania Attorney General raised concerns about a bid from real estate developer Allan Domb due to a covenant restricting the building’s use to educational purposes.

Ultimately, the Curtis Institute of Music secured the building with a bid of .6 million, a transfer that was officially approved by the court in January. As the Curtis Institute navigates the next steps for the property, officials reported that firefighters were still managing the site as of 9 a.m., awaiting clearance to enter the building for damage assessment.

This developing situation will continue to be monitored, with updates to follow as more information becomes available.