An entire block was evacuated after a home collapsed in the Wissinoming section of the city Saturday, according to officials.
Fire investigators say they believe a natural gas line may have been disconnected prior to an explosion at a home located at 4716 Howell Street. Investigators say the vacant home, also under construction, came crashing down around 12 p.m.
Ruth Logo’s daughter ran two blocks thinking her mother’s home next door had exploded.
“Her house next door shook like an earthquake,” said Logo.
Lugo and her family are among 15 people who were evacuated to a SEPTA bus for more than two hours. PGW shut off gas as a precaution to their homes. Residents were allowed back into their home around 2:45 p.m. Homeland Security also rushed to the scene as a standard practice following an explosion.
Two people were treated at the scene for minor cuts to their feet.
One person was taken into custody in connection with the incident after police say he was seen leaving the home right before the explosion. A police source says someone may have ripped out copper pipes from the home for scrap metal.
“It’s very dangerous if somebody is trying to take the copper pipes but we do not have any confirmed reports right now,” said Philadelphia Deputy Fire Chief Robert Coyne.
A demolition crew arrived to the scene and used heavy equipment to search the rubble to make sure the house was empty.
Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.
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