Community event planned to assist residents impacted by deadly explosion in Nicetown.

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has announced a community meeting to address the needs of residents affected by a tragic explosion that occurred on June 29 in Nicetown. The incident resulted in the death of a woman, injured two others, and caused significant destruction, particularly affecting several rowhouses in the area. The community event is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Edward T. Steel Elementary School auditorium, located at 4301 Wayne Avenue.

Investigations into the explosion reveal that a gas fire of “unknown origin” triggered the disaster on the 1900 block of West Bristol Street. The powerful explosion left a crater in its wake where one house once stood and leveled two adjacent properties. In the aftermath, more than 100 residents were temporarily displaced, according to city officials.

Following the explosion, the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections completed the demolition of five properties involved in the incident. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) reported no evidence of an underground natural gas leak in the vicinity prior to the explosion. Additionally, PGW noted that they did not receive any reports of gas odors in the area leading up to the incident. OEM stated that the oversight of natural gas piping within individual homes falls under the jurisdiction of property owners, which complicates the investigation into the explosion’s cause.

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) released preliminary findings from its Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, indicating a potential failure within one of the homes on the “customer-owned side” of the gas meter. This aspect of the investigation is particularly concerning, as it suggests that the issue may not have originated from PGW infrastructure, which is subject to state regulation.

The upcoming meeting in Nicetown will feature representatives from various city and state agencies, including the OEM, Fire Department, PGW, and the state Insurance Department, among others. These representatives will be on hand to provide resources and address any questions or concerns from local residents.

For those looking to assist the impacted residents, donations can be made through the city’s One Philly Fund, which aims to support those in need following this devastating event. As recovery efforts continue, the city’s commitment to aiding those affected remains paramount.