PHILADELPHIA — In the early hours of Sunday, a powerful explosion shook northern Philadelphia, resulting in one fatality and injuries to two others, as reported by local authorities.
The Philadelphia Fire Department was alerted to an explosion shortly before 5 a.m., prompting an immediate response from firefighters.
Daniel McCarty, the executive officer of the department, revealed that the explosion caused significant damage to approximately five homes, with some structures collapsing. Sadly, one individual lost their life in the incident, while two more were rescued and transported to the hospital. Among the hospitalized, one is in stable condition, whereas the other remains in critical condition.
Search and rescue operations were anticipated to continue throughout the day.
“The primary concern is ensuring the stability of the nearby houses to prevent the hazard from spreading,” McCarty explained. “This will demand a comprehensive, all-day effort from the Philadelphia Fire Department.”
At the time, the cause of the explosion had not yet been established by the authorities.