Community event planned to support residents impacted by deadly explosion in Nicetown.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has announced a community event aimed at assisting residents affected by a devastating explosion that occurred on June 29 in Nicetown. The incident resulted in the tragic death of one woman, injuries to two others, and significant destruction to several nearby rowhouses. This event is scheduled for 6 PM, and will take place at the Edward T. Steel Elementary School auditorium, located at 4301 Wayne Avenue.
According to the Philadelphia Fire Department, the explosion on the 1900 block of West Bristol Street was caused by a gas fire of unknown origin, which left a large crater in the location where a house once stood and rendered two adjacent properties uninhabitable. The OEM has reported that over 100 individuals were temporarily displaced due to the aftermath of the explosion.
In the wake of the incident, the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) has already completed the demolition of five affected properties. Insights gathered from Philadelphia Gas Works indicate that there were no signs of an underground natural gas leak in the vicinity of the explosion. Moreover, the utility company confirmed that it had not received any reports of gas odors from residents prior to the explosion.
The OEM clarified that Philadelphia Gas Works does not oversee natural gas piping within individual properties, as the responsibility for indoor fuel lines and appliances falls upon property owners themselves. This aspect is particularly relevant, given the preliminary findings recently released by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). The commission’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement indicated that the initial information points to a potential failure within one of the residences, specifically on the customer-owned side of the gas meter—a domain that lies outside the jurisdiction of the PUC.
During the community meeting in Nicetown, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts from various agencies, including the OEM, the Fire Department, Philadelphia Gas Works, L&I, the state Insurance Department, and the city’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. These representatives will be available to provide essential resources and answer questions from residents who have been affected by this tragedy.
For community members looking to contribute assistance to those impacted by the explosion, donations can be made through the city’s One Philly Fund. This initiative aims to support affected individuals and families as they navigate the recovery process in the wake of this tragic event.
Media News Source advises residents in the Nicetown area to remain vigilant and informed as investigations continue into the causes of the explosion, ensuring that such tragic incidents may be prevented in the future.
