Authorities said that they are still investigating the cause of Friday's explosion in Pottstown.
According to authorities, five people were killed and two others were injured in an explosion at a Pennsylvania house this week. They announced that they had identified the victims on Friday.
Justin Keller, Pottstown Borough Manager, and Pottstown Police stated in a press conference that the blast originated from a house on Hale Street near Butler Avenue at 8 p.m. ET Thursday and caused significant damage to nearby houses.
Keller stated that emergency services arrived on the scene to help multiple victims and found a house with many injuries. Four deaths were confirmed at the 11 p.m. briefing. Unfortunately, this number has risen to five as of today's afternoon.
Police said that the cause of the fatal explosion remains under investigation. Police noted that the Pennsylvania State Police and Red Cross were also on scene Thursday night. They were joined by an explosives and arson team from Philadelphia (about 40 miles from Pottstown).
According to authorities, the victims of the explosion were Francine White (67), Alana Wood (13), Jeremiah White (12), Nehemiah White (10), and Tristan White (8). Keller stated that the two injured people were taken to hospital for treatment. One survivor was currently undergoing surgery for unspecified injuries, while the other was stable but in critical condition.
Stephen J. Rodriguez, Pottstown Schools superintendent, dismissed classes Friday afternoon. In a statement, he stated that students and their families will have access to services through the Red Cross, Creative Health Counselors and Pottstown Schools District counselors.
In a statement, the superintendent stated that donations were being collected for victims and their families.
Keller stated, "We ask that you show respect to the families of victims during this difficult time." Give them the space they require.
Evan Brandt, a reporter at The Mercury, a daily newspaper that covers Pottstown shared horrifying photos on Friday from the aftermath on social media.
The Mercury News reported Saturday that there was no gas service in the area, and no reports of gas smell, excluding natural gas as the reason for the tragedy.
