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USGS: 1.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Greater Philadelphia Area

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Several reports of an explosion in parts of Northeast Philadelphia late Friday night turned out to be a 1.7 magnitude earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS reports the earthquake struck at about 9:33 p.m., approximately 10 miles northeast of Philadelphia, about five miles from Riverton, Burlington County, and two miles west of Cornwell Heights, Bucks County.

A little before 10 p.m., fire and hazmat crews as well as police arrived to the scene near Knights and Fairdale roads after several residents claimed they heard and felt what they thought was a loud explosion.

Authorities searched the area and found no evidence of a fire nor gas leak. PECO officials have not reported any disruptions in power at this time.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency initially reported that the incident did not appear to have been caused by an earthquake.

The situation was placed under control at about 10:41 p.m. Friday. No injuries have been reported.

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For more information, visit http://www.usgs.gov/.

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