One person rescued after possible gas explosion topples Philadelphia building; search for others

[Omaha Steve]

Source: CNN

By Ray Sanchez and Hollie Silverman,

(CNN)One person was rescued after a possible gas explosion toppled a South Philadelphia building and significantly damaged two others on Thursday, officials said.

Firefighters responded to reports of an explosion and fire at a tenement on South 8th Street about 11:30 a.m., Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel told reporters.

The heavy "gas-fed" fire, plus structural damage to three buildings prevented firefighters from immediately determining whether people were trapped inside, Thiel said.

"We are still not sure what the occupancy status is of the fully collapsed building," he said.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/19/us/philadelphia-building-fire-collapse/index.html