UPDATED: Explosion & fire caught on video – fireground audio. Gas company worker killed, five others hurt, including Philadelphia firefighter. Three-alarms to the Tacony section last night.
Raw Video: Tacony Gas Main Explosion: MyFoxPHILLY.com
An explosion and fire, captured on video by a TV crew, killed a gas company worker in the Tacony area of Philadelphia last night and injured five others including a Philadelphia firefighter. It occurred while crews were trying to repair a break to a high-pressure gas main. WCAU-TV reports the body of a PGW employee was discovered after the fire was controlled. An evacuation of a two block area took place before the explosion happened. Three-alarms were called to handle the fire and deal with the injured.
Two of the gas workers were in critical condition and one was rushed to the Temple University Hospital Burn Unit. Another PGW worker and firefighter were in stable condition with unknown injuries, sources said.
It happened around 7:36 p.m. in the middle of Disston Street near Torresdale Avenue (click here for Google Maps Street View of neighborhood) as crews worked to fix both the gas leak and a water main that was possibly damaged due to pressure from the break in the 12-inch gas main.
Firefighters were called around 7:20 due to an obvious smell of gas. They arrived on the scene at 7:26 and called for hazmat crews and police officers to assist.
Around 7:30 gas was bubbling through the pavement, officials said.
The explosion and ensuing blaze took down one building and partially destroyed another, Ayers said.
Gas officials shut off the gas as firefighters battled the blaze. By 10:30 p.m. the blaze appeared to be dying down and it was officially under control just before 11.
The blast could be felt as far away as Palmyra and Pennsauken across the river in New Jersey.
Engine 52 O/L reported a gas main break in the street, evacuation in progress. Battalion 12 arrived and requested a box to be transmitted with a haz-mat response, as the gas was emanating over multiple blocks. A command post was then established, covers assigned. PGW employees were O/S attempting to mitigate the break.
At 20:35 hours, a 2nd alarm was transmitted by D/C 2 when an explosion occurred. Numerous medic units were detailed to the assignment. D/C 2 reported a 12″ main that had exploded, reported fire in at least 2 buildings, requested the collapse unit to the scene. Several PFD members injured as well as PGW employees.
The 3rd alarm was transmitted at 21:00 hours, as large scale evacuations were being made to a nearby shelter. At 22:55 hours, B/C 12 placed the fire U/C. One (1) PGW employee was found dead under the rubble.
