5 Killed in Allentown, Penn., Natural Gas Explosion and Fire

Five people ranging in age from 4-months-old to 79-years-old were killed in an explosion that led to a gas main fire in Allentown on the 500 block of North 13th and West Allen streets, around 10:50 p.m. EST Wednesday night.

The explosion destroyed two homes and the resulting fire destroyed six more, damaging more than 30 other homes and 10 businesses. Close to 700 residents were forced to leave their homes. Seventy residents will not be able to return home until late Friday. About 100 PPL customers in the area lost electricity and were told they would have no power until the fire department tells them it's safe.

LANTA buses took many people to the Allentown Fairgrounds' Agri-Plex, where the Bureau of Health and American Red Cross made a shelter with cots, food, and water. Dorneyville Comfort Suites also offered free rooms Wednesday night. Individuals may donate clothing, services, and money via Red Cross at 610-865-4400.

Debris was found several blocks away and many people reported feeling their homes shake from the explosion from as far away as Allentown's northern suburbs, downtown Bethlehem, Center Valley, and Breinigsville.

Frances Hunter of Allen and Fulton streets said "The flames were as high as Gross Towers."

Senior Bill Yanett, of 532 N. 13th St., said that he and his wife will not return because they lived there 17 years ago when Gross Towers had a gas explosion and do not want to start over again under these conditions.

Mayor Pawlowski and Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey said the neighborhood will be rebuilt. They said they will support Allentown families and conduct an ongoing investigation, with the Fire Marshalls, UGI, PUC, and the National Transportation Safety Board, into the aging infrastructure. The cause of the initial explosion is yet unknown. For further information, contact Fire Chief Robert Scheirer at 484-764-7283.

UGI crews could not reach the gas line from the homes or curb and had to take several hours to drill into the ice-covered street to get to the 12-inch gas main and inject foam. Firefighters from across Allentown, Lehigh County, Emmaus, and Cetronia finally gained control of the fire and allowed residents to return to their homes around 4:20 a.m.

My Opinion

I live in East Allentown, a little over three miles away from the explosion and across the Union Boulevard & West Tilghman Street bridge, so it probably muffled much of the sound of the explosion. Also, being 10:50 p.m. EST, I was asleep, which also aided in blocking out any residual outside noise and, of course, prevented me from seeing smoke and other effects of the explosion.

Catastrophes usually seem to occur at night. The night is the worst time for something disastrous, such as this explosion, to occur. Most residents are at home, asleep or relaxed, and let their guard down. During the day, few, if any, residents would have been killed.

The aging infrastructure is a major concern in the area of the explosion but also in many older neighborhoods across the country. The gas main that fueled the fire is over 90 years old and made of cast-iron -- they are slowly being replaced with safer and cleaner plastic, but not quickly enough, as shown by this explosion.

This is not the first time our area has had gas explosions; it also occurred in 1994 at the Gross Towers and several years ago on Mohawk Street in which four homes were lost. Until the infrastructure is replaced and updated, many residents will remain in fear of a repeat of this week's events.

Source: 69 News WFMZ-TV, The Morning Call