Officials: More Homes Likely To Be Taken Down Following Deadly South Philadelphia Row Home Explosion, Fire
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- City officials say more homes will likely be taken down following a deadly row home explosion in South Philadelphia last Thursday. Two people were killed in the explosion and fire that shook the 1400 block of South 8th Street.
City officials said Monday that at least two additional homes are unstable and will probably be leveled at some point in order to protect the public. There is no word on when that would happen.
Heavy machinery is being used to clear some of the debris left behind. Authorities say the fire that happened here was "gas fed," but haven't said exactly what caused it.
Investigators focused some of their attention on a mangled mess of metal that looked like a heater. Authorities haven't yet said the significance of it, if anything.
The explosion and fire destroyed three row homes and seriously damaged two others. Authorities also have not yet released the names of the two victims who died.
Neighbors say one of the victims was on the second floor of one of the homes when the explosion happened.
"I saw all the neighbors coming this way and I ran around and saw the very brave neighbors climb up on the debris to try to save the victims," Sharon Lobatone said.
One man says a woman was weeping knowing her 29-year-old brother was trapped inside the rubble and died.
"She was hysterical because she obviously knew her brother was in that house. And if you saw the video footage, there was no one who was going to come out, unfortunately, alive. Hopefully prayers are answered and they can get strength," the man said.
As the cleanup continues in South Philadelphia, there are several organizations offering a helping hand, including the Passyunk Square Civic Association.
