An operational issue caused black smoke to rise from a refinery in South Philadelphia.

Heavy clouds of black smoke that was seen by residents throughout the city rose from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions at 3144 West Passyunk Avenue Saturday afternoon.

Fire officials initially told NBC10 a scheduled burn-off was taking place at the refinery. They later reported however that firefighters were responding to a fire.

A spokesperson for Philadelphia Energy Solutions told NBC10 "operational issues" at the refinery caused heavy flaring and heavy smoke conditions.

All personnel at the refinery are safe and there are no reported injuries, according to the spokesperson.

Officials have not yet revealed the source of the problem.

A Northampton County man died Saturday morning after he fell from the roof of a home.

Stanley Guzik, 47, of Forks Township, was on the roof while repairing a chimney at a home on the 600 block of Alaska Street in Bethlehem, Pa. shortly before 11 a.m.

As he was working, he slipped and fell to the ground. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem where he was pronounced dead at 11:49 a.m.

Officials determined Guzik died from blunt force trauma to the chest due to the fall. His death was ruled an accident.

A local high school senior had the opportunity to join the Law and Order: SVU cast for a role in a recent episode.

Brooke Dawson, who lives in North Delaware, already had experience in the performing arts. The 17-year-old has been featured on a number of national television shows like Celebrity Ghost Stories and Mysteries at the Museum.

“I participated in a lot of pageants when I was growing up, so that’s how I got used to talking and performing,” said Dawson. “As I grew up, that’s how I mainly got into it.”

Dawson was casted as a teen fan in the upcoming Law and Order: SVU episode, “Agent Provocateur.”

“It was freezing cold, but it was so fun,” she said. “I met a lot of new people, which is my favorite part of the business.”

The teen is thankful to her supportive family who helped her break into the competitive business when she was 14-years-old.

“Once I got a feel for the business, my dad took me to New York and we started to get interviews for agencies there,” she said. “That’s how I got into the business.”

Dawson’s beginnings stem from her father’s serendipitous idea to have his daughter recreate a beloved family photo of his wife, who was also a model and actress in her teen years.

“After the photo-shoot [the photographer] said, ‘you really need to take her to some agencies,’” Brian recalls.

Graduating in May, Dawson looks forward to turning 18 and landing more gigs over the summer. She has committed to West Virginia University where she will double major in psychology and theater.

“[If] the acting, modeling and singing career doesn’t work out – it’s a competitive career and I know that – I want to be a dolphin trainer,” said Brooke.

The family of an award-winning technology teacher and former "Dance Party USA" star from South Philadelphia who went missing made a desperate plea for him to come home during a press conference Saturday night.

"We miss him, we love him and we want him to come home," said C.J. Tully.

C.J.'s father, Christopher Tully, a 40-year-old teacher at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, was last seen at 6:15 a.m. on Tuesday exiting a vehicle, police and his family said.

Tully was with his parents, when he unexpectedly ran from their car near the off-ramp where City  Avenue meets the Ridge Avenue and Lincoln Drive, his family said.

"It's been so many days with the weather that I am afraid," Mary Tully, his mother, said as she cried Thursday night. She said Christopher was going through depression recently and that they were taking him to get help when he jumped out of the car.

He was last seen heading south on City Avenue toward the Schuylkill Expressway. Police and state troopers did a search from their cruisers near the ramp but so far no leads have been found.

"Even though he's 40, he's still my baby and I want him to come home," she said.

At the time, Christopher, who lives along the 2600 block of South 16th Street, was wearing a black coat, jeans and sneakers.

"I fear that he's hurt somewhere and can't get help," said his brother, Eddie Tully. "And with the weather the way it is, this is not the ideal situation to be out somewhere in the cold."

Christopher has three children and has been a teacher at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology for the past 12 years. Last year, he was named Outstanding Career and Technical Education Teacher by the Pennsylvania Association for Career and Technical Education.

Previously, Christopher and Eddie Tully, a well-known Philadelphia DJ and real estate agent, were both regulars on the 1980s hit show "Dance Party USA" that was filmed in the Philadelphia area.

The show centered on dance performances and had guest appearances from celebrities like Madonna, Kelly Ripa, Will Smith and Prince.

Police said Christopher has not used his credit cards and that his cell phone has been turned off. Detectives are checking nearby surveillance cameras to try and determine where he may have gone.

The family is creating fliers and plan to search the area where he was last seen around noon on Friday.

A vigil will be held Sunday at 5 p.m. on 2045 Guinea Lane in Jamison, Pennsylvania.

Anyone with any information on Christopher’s whereabouts should contact the South Detective Division at 215-686-3013 or call 911.

From the moment she and her husband adopted Duke a year ago, Lucia Piscoglio of Swedesboro, New Jersey recognized the special bond the 20-month-old English Mastiff had with her 9-month-old daughter Ava Jane, even before she was born.

“Throughout pregnancy he stayed by my side,” Piscoglio said. “Once Ava Jane was born he immediately became her best friend. They never leave each other’s side. He sleeps outside her door. He is there for every diaper change, every bath and whatever else we decide to do.”

The special bond between the two was proven early January when Duke came to Ava Jane’s rescue.

“Duke came into my room and woke me up by barking at me,” she said. “I looked into the monitor and saw Ava’s face deep into the bumper pad. As Duke and I ran to her side I didn’t feel her inhale or exhale. I am not positive if she ever stopped breathing because I scooped her up so quickly and she began to cry from being startled. Duke gave her a quick lick on the head and we sat in there all together for a while. Duke is Ava's guardian angel on earth.”

Two days later, Duke was in a crisis of his own. After he received a Lyme vaccination during a routine checkup at the veterinarian, Piscoglio noticed something was wrong.

“Sadly, days later after his heroic deed he became ill,” she said. “After two separate vet visits they had no exact diagnosis but severe allergic reaction. A day later he became so ill we rushed him back to the vet, he was swollen all over, not eating, not drinking, not going to the bathroom or even moving.”

Duke was placed in critical care at Saint Francis Veterinary Hospital in Swedesboro, New Jersey. The veterinarians determined he had a severe allergic reaction to the Lyme vaccine causing hemorrhaging in his eye and Vasculitis, a group of disorders that destroy blood vessels, throughout his body.

Piscoglio shared Duke’s story in the Facebook group Mastiffs Rule, Drool is Cool. Almost immediately the hero dog who was so quick to help someone in need received some much needed help himself.

Thousands of Facebook users both from America and around the world showed their support with some even offering to help with medical expenses. Inspired by the outpouring of generosity and encouraged by the Facebook users, Piscoglio created a new group and donations page for Duke. 

“In only a couple hours there were three hundred followers, not counting the thousands of comments and likes on the other Facebook page,” she said.

Duke, who is now back home, continues to suffer from swelling and is having trouble walking. He is being treated with a steroid pill, antibiotic, Benadryl twice a day and Pepcid. He has also been placed on a strict diet. Piscoglio told NBC10 the experience has taught her an important lesson, one that she wants to share with other pet owners.

“Please educate yourself on all the vaccines you are administering your dog,” she said. “Ask questions because we almost lost Duke to something preventable. I am not against vaccines but please educate yourselves on the risk.”

Despite Duke’s condition, Piscoglio remains optimistic that her beloved companion will make a full recovery, thanks in large part to all the support shown from complete strangers.

“This is a story that can show many that the world is not so bad and that there is kindness everywhere,” she said. “Duke is Ava Jane’s guardian Angel. Now Duke has many guardian Angels.”

If you would like to donate to Duke’s medical fund, CLICK HERE.
 

A young boy was flown by helicopter to the hospital after he fell from a ski lift at a Montgomery County ski lodge.

The 5-year-old boy fell 30 feet from a ski lift at the Spring Mountain Adventures ski lodge in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania Saturday night.

The boy was flown by a medical helicopter to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Officials have not yet revealed his condition. A ski instructor told NBC10 the boy appeared to be conscious and alert when medics arrived.

Stay with NBC10.com for updates on this developing story.

An AMBER ALERT has been canceled for two Delaware children who went missing along with their mother Friday night.

Keisha Hamilton, her 4-year-old daughter Colette Hamilton and her 4-month-old son Cortez Hamilton Jr. were last seen at their home on the 100 block of Cayhill Lane in the Twin Willows Development of Smyrna, Delaware around 10 p.m. Friday.

Officials issued an AMBER ALERT for the children Saturday.

Saturday around 9:30 p.m., the AMBER ALERT was canceled. Both children were found with their father safe and in good condition.

Delaware Police are still searching for Keisha Hamilton however and have issued a Gold Alert for her. They have been unable to find her and there is a real concern for her safety and welfare, according to investigators.

Neighbors of the woman told NBC10 police were often called to the family's home for domestic disputes.

"She texted her sister, 'if you don't hear from me call the cops please,'" said Tia Small, one of her neighbors. "She didn't show up for work so they called the cops." 

Hamilton is described as a 35-year-old black female standing 5-foot-6 and weighing 145 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

If you have any information on her whereabouts, please call 911 or Delaware State Police.

Keisha Hamilton with Colette , Credit: Facebook.com

Police are investigating a triple shooting that left three men dead late Saturday night in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia.

The shooting happened along the 4600 block of Vista Street.

Investigators said the girlfriend of one of the victims discovered a man dead in the kitchen and two other men dead in the living room. All three had been shot in the head. Two of the victims are said to be in their 30s, the third is in his 40s.

A sign on the door of the home reads "Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again."

Police are looking into surveillance video from a nearby business and asking the public to help capture the shooter or shooters in this case.

So far, the victims' names have not been released.

A fight at a birthday party in a North Philadelphia bar ended with a shooting that left three people seriously hurt, including a woman who was hit in the face by the gunfire.

The 31-year-old woman and two men were shot around 1:30 a.m. Sunday outside Reflections Cafe along the 1600 block of Wingohocking Street in the Nicetown section of the city, police said.

Police Capt. George Fuchs tells NBC10 the victims were in the bar for a person's birthday when an argument took place with other patrons. The fight moved outside and that's where a man came up and began firing, police said.

The woman was hit once in the face, Fuchs said. She was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center and is listed in critical condition.

A 25-year-old man, shot once in the leg, was also taken to Einstein in critical condition. The third victim, a 23-year-old man, was shot in the chest and arm. He was taken to Temple University Hospital and is listed in stable condition, according to Fuchs.

Fuchs said it's unclear if the victims were the intended targets in the shooting or caught in the crossfire.

Police did not have an immediate description of the shooter, who fled on foot, but there are security cameras at the bar and in the neighborhood that investigators hope will help them find the man.

Detectives are also questioning three witnesses in the case.

This is the second triple shooting in just a matters of hours in the city. Three men were found dead inside a Holmesburg home late Saturday. Police are not sure who may be responsible for that shooting or the circumstances surrounding it yet.

Anyone with information is asked to call Philadelphia Police at 215.686.TIPS.

Slow down because ice is in the forecast for your Monday morning commute in and around Philadelphia.

Light rain is falling now and it's expected to continue throughout the day.

The problem with that? It's below freezing in some of our region, making for icy conditions on the road as it freezes.

South Jersey, Delaware and some areas north and west of Philadelphia are seeing freezing rain. Most of the main roads have been treated in anticipation of the ice, but secondary roads that haven't been treated are slippery, says NBC10's Katy Zachry who's canvassing Chester County in StormForce10.

Any freezing rain will turn over to rain around 9 a.m. and will last throughout the day.

There is also the chance of snow and sleet mixing in Monday night before the system finally clears.

The cold weather will continue throughout the week. On Tuesday we're in for a windy and cold day with highs in the low 30s. On Wednesday we're in for another chance of rain and snow.

We'll finally be in for a bit of relief Thursday through the weekend with temperatures ranging in the high 30s to mid 40s and dry conditions.
 

A car burst into flames Sunday morning after slamming into a utility pole near Penns Landing.

The crash happened around 10 a.m. at the intersection of Dock Street and Columbus Boulevard in the Society Hill Section of Philadelphia, fire officials tell NBC10.

Photos captured on social media showed intense flames and heavy smoke could be seen rising from the area.

The collision brought down live power lines and PECO was called to the scene to assist.

Authorities said no one was injured.

A year after Wall Street Journal reporter David Bird vanished while taking an afternoon walk, his wife Nancy and two teenage children continue to light a candle every night at an "altar of hope" they've built in their New Jersey home, NBC News reported.

Police have no idea what happened to the 56-year-old energy journalist. A police chief working on the case said there is no evidence he simply walked away from his life, or that someone did something to him, or that he had an accident while out walking.

He did not take his cellphone, passport or medications with him.

But as his wife Nancy plans two events Sunday to mark the anniversary of his disappearance, she remains optimistic and hopes the publicity will bring fresh leads.

More from NBCNews.com

A man was shot and killed in the Brewerytown section of the city Sunday afternoon.

The 21-year-old man was on the 1400 block of North Hollywood Street at 2:42 p.m. when an unidentified gunman opened fire.

The man was struck once in the left side of the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a medic at 2:45 p.m.

No arrests have been made and police have not released a description of any suspects.

The incident is the fourth shooting death in Philadelphia Sunday. Three men were killed in an early morning shooting in the Holmesburg section of the city.
 

Vegetarian food maker MorningStar Farms has issued a voluntary recall for two types of black bean burgers because the products may contain peanuts, which is not listed on the label.

MorningStar Farms Spicy Black Bean Burgers — both 9.5 and 18.9 oz packages — with better if used by dates between April 14, 2016 and June 30, 2016 are part of the recall.

The Chipotle Black Bean Burger with a best if used by date of March 22, 2016 through June 30, 2016 is also included.

The company said the products' spice mix could cause a person with a peanut allergy to have a reaction. Such a reaction could result in a rash, vomiting, or in severe cases, a swelling of a person's throat causing them to stop breathing.

MorningStar Farms said customers can return the items to the store where they were purchased for a refund.

The father of two Delaware children who went missing Friday night and were later found safe was arrested on fugitive charges in Indiana Sunday. 

Cortez Hamilton Sr. of Smyrna, Delaware is currently being held in Indiana. Once he returns to Delaware he will be charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

An Amber Alert was issued for Hamilton Sr.’s two children, 4-year-old Colette Hamilton and 2-month-old Cortez Hamilton Jr. after they went missing Friday along with their mother, 35-year-old Keisha Hamilton.

The children were found safe with Hamilton Sr. in Indiana Saturday. They are currently in the care of Indiana’s Division of Family Services.

Keisha Hamilton(pictured below) is still missing. Investigators say there is a real concern for her safety and welfare. She is described as a black female, approximately 5-foot-6 and weighing 145 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Officials have not yet revealed whether the charges against Hamilton Sr. are related to Keisha Hamilton’s disappearance.

Neighbors of the woman told NBC10 police were often called to the family’s home for domestic disputes.

"She texted her sister, 'if you don't hear from me call the cops please,'" said Tia Small, one of her neighbors. "She didn't show up for work so they called the cops."

If you have any information on her whereabouts, please call 911 or Delaware State Police.
 

Police have found the body of a concrete production company worker who was trapped underneath twisted steel beams, sand and other materials after the Bucks County facility came crashing to the ground.

The body of 48-year-old Tony Gabrielle was found around 2 p.m. Sunday, according to police.

Rescuers had been searching for Gabrielle after a police officer spotted the collapsed Silvi Properties silo, located in the Riverside Industrial Complex along the 7900 block of North Radcliff Street in Bristol Township, just after midnight Thursday.

After crews spent more than six hours working to locate Gabrielle, of Bucks County, amid the debris, they announced the rescue mission was shifting to a recovery effort.

"He is not dead until they find him," said Gabrielle's brother, John. "We are just going to wait until they find him."

John was one of several family members who watched as about 60 members of various local fire departments and several search dogs combed the wreckage for signs of Gabrielle.

The search effort proved even more difficult for rescuers as it was unclear where Gabrielle was when the collapse occurred. Also hampering the mission, the heavy structural materials that had to be carefully moved so crews could remain out of harm's way.

Officials have not yet revealed where Gabrielle's body was found or the cause of death.

Gabrielle began working for Silvi when he was 18-years-old.

Lane closures are set to begin Sunday night on I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia.

Northbound I-95 approaching the Cottman Avenue (Route 73) Interchange will be reduced from three lanes to two Sunday through Friday, Jan. 16, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

During the restrictions, workers will install drainage pipes in the work zone that runs from Levick Street to Bleigh Avenue.

Drivers should use caution when approaching the work area during the aforementioned times.

The construction is part of the $212.3 million project to rebuild and improve the Cottman Avenue Interchange and 1.4 miles of I-95.
 

A dog that police say was stolen by a burglar accused of masturbating on a woman's deck before breaking into her apartment reunited with his owner Sunday.

• Resident Shoots Masturbating Intruder

Ollie, a 4-year-old, penny-colored long-haired dachshund, was found off of Bensalem Boulevard in Bensalem and was reunited with his owners Sunday. Evan Greathouse told NBC10 he and his fiancee Nicole Donlen found Ollie on Roberts Circle. The dog had been spotted by a motion detected camera that was set up Saturday night.

"As the sun came up he came back," said Cindie Kura of the Dachshund Rescue of Bucks County. "It was clear he was eating the food. The camera went from infrared to color. So we could really see what was going on."

According to Greathouse, Ollie suffered a wound on his leg and some rashes but was otherwise in "very good spirits." The owners took him to a vet to get him checked out.

"We're very, very thankful to everyone that's helped," said Greathouse. "Even just the people that were out there making comments, saying they were praying, thinking of him." 

• Alleged Masturbating Burglar Officially Charged, Dog Still Missing

The reunion comes several weeks after Ollie went missing after he was allegedly grabbed by Angel Suarez Medero during a break-in.

On Dec. 28, Medero climbed onto the balcony of Donlen's second-floor apartment in Bensalem, according to police.

"I was sitting on the couch," Donlen said. "My dogs started freaking out. They went up to the door and I looked up and I could see from my living room that there was a man on my deck."

Donlen told NBC10 Suarez Medero — who was identified by various reports as a former jockey who rode at nearby Parx — then motioned for her to be quiet as her dogs continued to bark.

"He laid down on the floor, stood back up and then he started masturbating on my deck," she said. "I stood there for like ten seconds and I tried to get them to come with me but they wouldn't. Then I got out of there." 

Donlen ran to her neighbor's home as Suarez Medero broke through the sliding-glass door and entered the apartment, said investigators. He then allegedly took Ollie and jumped out a second-floor window.

He then broke into another apartment on the first floor and attacked two residents inside, according to investigators.

A struggle ensued and a resident inside the apartment pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking the suspect twice, police said. At some point during the ordeal, Ollie ran away.

Even after being shot, Suarez Medero continued to fight with the resident, said police. Responding police officers were eventually able to subdue him.

Medics rushed Suarez Medero to Aria-Torresdale Hospital where he underwent surgery. No one else inside the apartment complex was seriously injured during the incident.

Medero was arraigned on burglary, assault and other related charges. His bail was set at 10% of $250,000.

After Ollie's disappearance, Clear Channel donated money to put up digital billboards of the dog. The billboards were placed in five different locations on Route 1 and I-95.

Family and friends of a missing Pennsylvania teacher came together Sunday to hold a vigil for his safe return.

A vigil for Chris Tully was held at 5 p.m. at the baseball field on Guinea Lane in Jamison, Pennsylvania.

No one has seen Tully since he jumped out of his parent's car along the City Avenue Bridge near East Falls on Tuesday morning. The 40-year-old award-winning technology teacher has been battling depression and was on the way to get help when he ran.

"We miss him, we love him and we want him to come home," C.J. Tully told NBC10 Saturday. The 12-year-old is the oldest of the missing man's three sons. "He's a really good person and he helps others a lot."

The boys said their father loves to play sports and teach them new techniques in football, baseball and soccer.

"I want him to come home so we can do more stuff together," Sean Tully, another son, said. "He plays games and teaches us stuff."

Chris Tully spent the last 12 years teaching at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology. His work earned him an outstanding teaching award by a statewide organization.

"He's a really caring guy whose really dedicated. He's got a big heart and he's just an all-around good guy," Chris' brother-in-law, Mike Speaks, said.

Philadelphia Police said the man's credit cards and cell phone have not been used since he disappeared. He was last seen walking toward the Schuylkill Expressway. The family searched the area on Friday, but have not found any sign of him.

During Sunday night's vigil, hundreds of people prayed for Tully to come home.

"With all the flyers, all the social media and all, just hoping with the kids doing the callout, just hoping that if he's out there and he's safe hell reach out to somebody," said Tully's brother-in-law Christopher Speak.

If you have any information on Tully's whereabouts, please call Philadelphia Police.

A woman’s attempt to reconnect with her late father ended in heartbreak when a priceless photo of the two was stolen at a Center City restaurant. Now she’s begging for the person responsible for the theft to return it to her.

Lana Fisher Hess of Dallas, Texas along with her husband Cody Hess, mother and brother visited Philadelphia in order to grow closer to her father, Gary Fisher. Gary passed away at the age of 63 on Aug. 8 during Lana’s wedding rehearsal dinner. Lana and Cody got married the next day.

Gary had frequently visited the Philadelphia area to receive treatment for ocular melanoma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer. During his visits, he grew to love Philly’s history, museums and culture. In January Lana and her family decided to visit some of her father’s favorite places in Philly, including Sawatdee, a Thai Restaurant located on South 15th Street.

During their visit at the restaurant Thursday night, someone stole Lana’s wallet. That wallet didn’t just contain cash however. A priceless photo of Lana and her father was also inside.

The photo was taken by Lana’s wedding photographer as a special gift. Knowing that Gary may not have the chance to dance with his daughter during her wedding, the photographer took a picture of the two dancing during a special session. Lana attached the framed picture on her bouquet and carried it down the aisle during her wedding.

“This has become a treasured memory for Lana and Cody since Gary could not be there to walk Lana down the aisle himself,” said Lana’s aunt and Gary’s sister Judy Newell.

Lana told NBC10 she reported the theft to police but has not yet heard back from investigators. Workers at Sawatdee also said the restaurant does not have any surveillance cameras inside.

Lana, who returned to Texas over the weekend, told NBC10 she doesn’t care about the money. All she wants is her photo.

“I’ll give the the money if he wants it,” she said. “I just want my picture back, no questions asked.”

If you have any information on the whereabouts of the photo, please email Lana at lanarose09@gmail.com.