The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Murphy said Wednesday.
Murphy said the fire was "not necessarily considered suspicious" but the investigation would be "all hands on deck."
The building was equipped with smoke detectors but "none of them operated," Murphy said.
The housing authority inspected one of the units in April 2021 and the other in May 2021, according to the statement from the city. Smoke detectors in the units were working during those inspections, the statement said.
Speaking Thursday, Jeremiah said "At the time of our inspection these equipment were fully operational."
He also added that 10-year batteries had been replaced on schedule.
Fire officials said eight children and four adults died in the fire. Officials initially reported 13 people died, including seven children, but revised the number Wednesday evening.
A family living in the building consisted of a grandmother, her three daughters and their children, among others, Jeremiah said.
Some of the children killed were part of the School District of Philadelphia, the district said in a statement.