PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The bomb squad on Monday morning was called out to a West Philadelphia apartment, where someone was seriously injured by a homemade explosive.
The blast occurred around 12:45 a.m. near 54th Street and Larchwood Avenue. Philadelphia police referred questions on the matter to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Alan Gilmore, an ATF spokesman, confirmed the agency responded to assist Philadelphia police. City and ATF investigators remained at the scene for several hours.
A man in the apartment with severe hand injuries is at a hospital in critical condition, according to local television news reports. Gilmore declined to provide any further information about the explosion or the reports of injury, citing the “active, ongoing investigation.”
No other injuries were reported.
Police removed a large bag of evidence from inside the residence, but they wouldn't say what was in it.
The building was briefly evacuated as a precaution while authorities investigated.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.