At least two women were injured after three buildings collapsed in an explosion and fire in Philadelphia early Sunday morning, according to the city’s fire department.
The Philadelphia Fire Department said it responded to the scene at 1900 West Bristol Street at around 4:50 a.m. following a report of an explosion. Three row houses were found to have “exploded in on themselves,” resulting in a fire, said Daniel McCarty, the fire department’s acting executive chief.
“Preliminary reports where there were people trapped,” McCarty said. “We were able to locate two residents and transport them to area hospitals, both being elderly females, one being critical, one stable.”
There have been “secondary collapses” near the home that is believed to be the source of the “primary explosion,” McCarty said, adding that at least five row homes have now been affected. The area is an active fire scene.
The cause of the explosion is not known at this time. Fire marshals are on scene and a collapse zone has been set up in case any additional collapses happen, McCarty said. Ten people were evacuated from the area.
A fire department crew is also looking through the rubble and debris to find any additional people who may have been in the homes, he said.
McCarty described the scene as “chaotic” and said the focus is on making sure additional homes are not impacted by the incident.
“The biggest thing is the stability of the surrounding houses, making sure that this hazard doesn’t spread,” McCarty said. “Our men and women of the fire department will go through with their special operations company to ensure that no one is unaccounted for on this block. So this will be an extensive all day operation for the Philadelphia Fire Department.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
