POTTSTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Five people were killed, including four children, and two others were critically injured in a mysterious explosion that completely destroyed one house and damaged others nearby in a residential section of Pottstown on Thursday night.
The Pottstown Police Department confirmed the names and ages of the victims on Friday:
— Francine White, 67
— Jeremiah White, 12
— Nehemiah White, 10
— Tristan White, 8
— Alana Wood, 13
The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety said the explosion happened on Hale Street near Butler Avenue just after 8 p.m. Thursday. One house exploded, causing damage to nearby properties and displacing dozens of people.
Kristina Matuzsan, 32, and Eugene White, 44, were hospitalized, according to Pottstown police. They were listed in critical condition Friday afternoon. Officials say they believe everyone is accounted for, updating earlier concerns that two people were missing.
Crews continued dousing water onto the debris through the morning, as white smoke poured from the house.
Officials could not confirm if it was related to gas. There was no word on the cause of the explosion as late as Friday afternoon.
PECO said Friday night that the home where the explosion happened did not have natural gas service and there was no "no evidence at this time of a leak hazardous to the structure," but there are nearby natural gas mains. According to PECO, Pottstown Firefighters said there was a propane tank at the location.
The utility also said investigators are looking at the natural gas mains, nearby service lines, and reports of any gas odors, repairs and inspections.
The ATF, Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Office, Pottstown Fire Department, and Pottstown Police Department are continuing the investigation. According to an official statement, further details are not likely to be available until next week, at the earliest, when investigators are ready to release more information about the cause of the explosion.
A minister from an area church told KYW Newsradio that about 60 neighbors were evacuated as a precaution. They spent the night at Pottstown High School, where the Red Cross assisted them.
“Any affected resident who needs assistance should come to the Pottstown Senior High School. We’ll be coordinating with the Red Cross for any people that are in need or displaced,” said Justin Keller, Pottstown borough manager.
The Pottstown School District canceled classes on Friday. The superintendent extended thoughts and prayers to affected families. "When schools open again, our counselors and psychologists will be available to provide support," he said in an official statement.
A war zone
The house that exploded is completely leveled. The area looked like a war zone on Friday moring, said Michael Burnett, who lives down the street.
“I was downstairs in the basement, and all of a sudden, just, boom,” he said. “It was just a big, loud bang, and you could feel it on the floor. It literally shook the floor.”
Dorothy Auman lives on the block right behind the house. She was sitting in a recliner watching TV when she heard the sound.
“All of a sudden, I heard this explosion, and stuff went flying through the air,” she said. “I thought it was snowing insulation and wood and everything else you could think of.”
Shredded-up pink insulation was sprinkled throughout the neighborhood, along with splintered wooden planks, and pieces of roofing and siding. There were personal belongings strewn about from the home as well: hats, shoes, boots, a personal photo taken at Chuck E. Cheese.
Jamal Adams said he can’t help but think about the victims and their families. “To lose anybody is hard-hit when you’re sitting in bed or sitting and watching TV and an explosion comes. Your reaction time is zero.”
This is a developing story. Stay with KYW Newsradio for more.