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South Philadelphia Residents Eagerly Await 'Green Light' To Reenter Homes Along Street Where Explosion Destroyed 3 Houses

By Syma Chowdhry

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Some residents along 4th and Daly Streets are searching for answers to questions like when will they be able to get back into their homes? Several neighbors have been home since an explosion destroyed three homes in their South Philadelphia neighborhood.

"Could be a lot worse so I'm grateful, I'll be fine," said Brian Litz.

Litz is trying to maintain a positive attitude. He hasn't been home -- which is a few doors down from the explosion --since he went to work Monday morning.

"Trying to get some info on when I can get back in, they don't have a time table yet they want to make sure it's safe and that's understandable so displaced in the meantime," said Litz.

He is not alone. Many folks living on the same side of the collapsed homes can't return -- although some residents were escorted in to retrieve some items. Officials say 28 homes in all remained evacuated Tuesday afternoon.

Sekeya Fields' home collapsed in the explosion and even though she didn't talk on camera -- she told Eyewitness News her mother died a few months ago and is hoping crews find her urn.

In the meantime, residents wait for officials to give them the "go-ahead" to go back home.

"Most definitely looking forward to getting back in the house," said Diana McKenna.

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