Latest news with #Nicetown
CBS News
27-07-2025
- CBS News
1 dead, 3 injured, after shooting in North Philadelphia's Nicetown neighborhood, police say
One adult died and three people were injured, including a child, in a shooting in North Philadelphia Saturday evening, police said. The Homicide Unit confirmed to CBS News Philadelphia that police received a report of a shooting on the 1900 block of West Hunting Park Avenue in Nicetown around 8:30 p.m. The ages and conditions of the people shot are unknown at this time. The motive is also unclear. This is a developing story. Stay with CBS News Philadelphia for updates.
CBS News
30-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia residents begin rebuilding after deadly explosion: "It looked like the end of the world"
The day after a powerful explosion leveled part of a Nicetown block, neighbors are returning home — the beginning of a long recovery. The explosion, which occurred Sunday morning on the 1900 block of West Bristol Street, killed one woman and left two others hospitalized, including a longtime employee of the Philadelphia City Council. The blast partially collapsed three rowhomes and forced dozens of nearby residents to evacuate. As of Monday, police confirmed that two of the most damaged homes would be demolished. City agencies, including the fire and police departments, and representatives from the Red Cross and Salvation Army, went door to door assisting residents and assessing structural concerns. For Damir Noland, who lives with family members on nearby Bonitz Street, just behind the blast site, the scene was surreal. "When I came outside, it looked like the end of the world," Noland, 27, said. "It looked like it was snowing, and a lot of smoke. I didn't know what was going on. I really thought it was a bomb first, like a bomb just went off." Inside Noland's home, the impact blew the back door off its hinges. While the electricity has been restored, the gas remains off in many homes. "We're trying to fix it as we go," he said. "A little bit at a time." City officials opened Edward T. Steel School as a temporary shelter Sunday. On Monday, it remained open as a community support hub, where volunteers handed out food, water and supplies. "They got the school open for us, so that is good," Noland said. "They got food and stuff for us. They ordered a pizza. They got food trucks." Noland described the chaos and confusion that erupted right after the explosion. "It was crazy. I never saw nothing like that in my life," he said. "As soon as [my mom] heard the boom, she just ran off the block." Despite the destruction, Noland praised the quick response of emergency crews. "The firefighters did a good job. They was here in 2.5 seconds, getting it put out and everything," he said. "If they wasn't as fast as they was, it could have been a lot worse. So yeah, shout out to the firefighters." City officials have not yet determined the cause of the explosion. An investigation is ongoing.
CBS News
29-06-2025
- CBS News
Neighbors describe fatal house explosion that shook Philadelphia's Nicetown section: "It was so powerful"
Neighbors say the explosion that caused multiple rowhomes to collapse in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia Sunday morning woke them up and shook their homes. "It just sounded like a bomb, a large bomb. A very large bomb," said Jamil Harris, who lives in Nicetown. The explosion happened on the 1900 block of West Bristol Street, near Clarissa Street, shortly before 5 a.m. One person died and two others were injured, officials said. "Basically, for a three-block radius, this block and the next adjacent block, everybody's house shook and everybody's windows bust out," Harris said. Alan Carroll, who lives across the street from the explosion, was one of the first people who went outside and saw the smoke and flames coming from the homes, which had already collapsed with people trapped inside. At least three homes are partially collapsed, officials said. "It was so powerful that it knocked our windows down ... it knocked the curtains off the window," Carroll said. "Then you start hearing a woman screaming, saying, 'Help me, help me, help me,' so my son ... and another gentleman went over there to the house and pulled her out." That neighbor and another woman were rescued during an initial search of the scene. Both are now recovering in the hospital. A spokesperson for Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson confirmed that one of the hospitalized victims works for Johnson. The fire department also said that during a secondary search, a third victim was pulled from the rubble, but officials say she died from injuries sustained in the collapse. "I think right now the neighborhood, we're real sad right now," Harris said. Officials have since evacuated West Bristol Street, and residents were taken to a nearby elementary school to get shelter and resources. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are helping with recovery efforts. Neighbors like Carroll are now reflecting on a tragic morning that will stay with them for a long time. "It's very scary," Carroll said. "To hear something that loud and that close. God forbid if I was outside, walking right past and stuff like that. And the crazy part is I was going to park there last night, but I found parking another spot." Crews have already begun boarding up windows on West Bristol Street that were broken as a result of this explosion As for when residents can return to their homes, that is still unclear because this investigation is going to take some time. Mayor Cherelle Parker said anyone who wants to help can contribute to the City of Philadelphia's One Philly Fund online.
CBS News
29-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia house explosion kills 1, injures 2 in Nicetown neighborhood Sunday morning
At least one person was killed after three rowhome buildings partially collapsed in an explosion in Philadelphia's Nicetown neighborhood early Sunday, sending at least two other people to hospitals, officials said. Philadelphia police and fire units responded to the 1900 block of West Bristol Street, near Clarissa Street, shortly before 5 a.m. CBS News Philadelphia cameras in the area showed at least three structures collapsed, with smoke emanating from the rubble. Fire officials said the incident was placed under control at 6:33 a.m. According to Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections, the explosion affected at least seven properties, three of which are partially collapsed. CBS News Philadelphia Officials said the two people taken to hospitals are an 82-year-old woman and a 62-year-old woman – one is in critical condition and the other is in stable condition. A spokesperson for Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson confirmed that one of the hospitalized victims works for Johnson. Mayor Cherelle Parker said Sunday afternoon that she visited the families at the hospital whose loved ones were impacted by the explosion. "Philadelphia, we want to ask that you lift them up in prayer," she said. "To all of the families, we are lifting you up in prayer, and the City of Philadelphia will remain here and on the scene to ensure that anyone who has been directly or indirectly impacted receives the support and services they need." "This will be an extensive, all-day operation for the Philadelphia Fire Department," Philadelphia Fire Department executive officer Daniel McCarty said. Philadelphia Fire Department McCarty said other buildings adjacent to the collapse have damage as well. Some residents have been evacuated as a precaution in case other collapses occur. Officials are monitoring the buildings there in case any that are still standing show signs that they may collapse. Philadelphia Fire Department Assistant Chief Charles Walker said a search and rescue dog alerted firefighters to the body of the woman who died in the collapse. The dog did not alert them to anyone else, Walker said, so he is confident everyone is accounted for now. The investigation will be slow and methodical to avoid a "secondary collapse," Walker said. "We are here. We are going to be here to provide support. We're going to be here to do a thorough investigation that may take time," said Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson. The cause of the explosion is under investigation, and search and rescue operations are underway. The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections is on site examining buildings. Several workers from Philadelphia Gas Works were also seen on the block. McCarty said investigators will work "brick by brick" to find out what happened. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office and PECO are also on the scene. Neighbors told to evacuate Bristol Street after collapse Around 9 a.m., residents were exiting their homes on Bristol Street after being told to evacuate. Many were holding suitcases or shopping bags full of personal effects. All along the block, homes have broken windows, and some doors were blown off their hinges. Vehicles parked on the street also suffered damage from the blast and from debris. A spokesperson for the American Red Cross stated that the organization is responding and assisting at least 24 people. Fire officials said the Salvation Army was also on scene to help community members affected by Sunday morning's explosion. Residents who were evacuated are gathering at the Edward Steel Elementary School. Mayor Parker said the City of Philadelphia's One Philly Fund is available online, where anyone can make contributions to help those impacted. Mental and behavioral health services are also available on-site for those in need. "Big bang" wakes up residents A resident on the block said she was sleeping when she heard "a big bang" and at first thought her husband had fallen off the edge of the bed. "And then I had to come to the window and look out, and I seen people walking up and down the street," she said. "And then I came downstairs and my door was all blown open and there was glass everywhere on my floor." Other residents from blocks away felt their houses shake. Another resident said he heard a noise that sounded like thunder. "I mean, it's like something out of a movie. The houses, you know, they're underneath. So they had to pull them out of the house," one woman said. This is a developing story and will be updated.
The Independent
29-06-2025
- The Independent
One dead and two injured after explosion causes multiple rowhome buildings to collapse in Philadelphia
At least one person was killed and two were injured after an explosion from an overnight fire caused several Philadelphia rowhomes to collapse early Sunday, according to reports. Crews responded to a call for a fire in the city's Nicetown section just before 5 a.m., and found three rowhomes had completely collapsed, NBC Philadelphia reported. Assistant Fire Chief Charles Walker confirmed that a body was recovered from the scene by a K9 who was helping to search through the rubble. 'Just before 5 a.m., we responded to an explosion on Bristol St. in Nicetown. This became an all-hands response. There are 2 reported injuries and, sadly, one reported fatality. Placed under control @6:33,' the Philadelphia Fire Department wrote on X. Crews are working to ensure additional homes don't collapse, authorities said. Two women, an 82-year-old and a 63-year-old, were taken to the hospital with injuries. One was suffering from smoke inhalation and the other sustained burns in the fire, authorities said. Fire officials told NBC that one of the victims was listed in critical condition while the other was stable. Neighbors said the collapse may have been the result of an explosion, as many reported hearing a loud bang when the incident occurred. However, authorities are still investigating what the sound was, and whether it was an explosion or something collapsing due to the fire. 'We don't know what caused the loud sound,' Walker, the assistant fire chief, said. One resident told CBS News she woke to a 'big bang' and thought her husband fell off the bed. 'And then I had to come to the window and look out, and I seen people walking up and down the street,' she said. 'And then I came downstairs and my door was all blown open and there was glass everywhere on my floor.' Neighbors from blocks away felt their homes shake as the rowhomes collapsed, while other residents reported a noise that sounded like thunder. Authorities are still working to determine the cause of the collapse. Ten people who live in the area were ordered to evacuate, authorities said. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
