The victims were later identified as Francine White, 67, Alana Wood, 13, Jeremiah White, 12 . A husband and wife and their 14-year-old son . Their names and ages are: Francine White, 67 Alana Wood, 13 You have permission to edit this article. Five people, including four children, were killed in a house explosion Thursday night in Pottstown. Fire department officials. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Two other adults were also injured. Five people, including four children, were killed in a house explosion Thursday night in Pottstown. Officials have not discovered what might have caused the house to explode, but neighbors and former residents of the home hinted at that a gas leak could have been the possible cause. He'd do anything for anybody.". "He was a really good person. Keller, in a Friday afternoon press conference, said investigators are "looking into" claims about the constant smell of gas in the area. The incident occurred at around 5 a.m. in East Coventry near the corner of Ellis Woods and Buckwalter roads, 6ABC said. "I heard a huge explosion," Russell Noll, a neighbor, told NBC10 Philadelphia. "It was more than just community in the sense that we're neighbors," said Wilkurson. Two of the homes were completely destroyed, authorities said Friday. Hand said the cause of the smoky blaze hadnt yet been determined but it appeared to have been accidental. Pottstown Manager Justin Keller told reporters hours after the explosion that four people had died, and two people were taken to area hospitals. They say they felt the shake of the blast for miles. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to those families," Rodriguez wrote. Sadly, all three family members passed away due to the fire or related injuries, leaving the community to mourn them. Also killed in the early morning fire in a twin home at 7 East Fifth St. were Joseph Norton, 48, and a 14-year-old boy. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. Fire investigators believe the fire started in the second floor apartment where Juck lived. Neighbor Christian Gonzalez says he thought it was thunder at first. The blast damaged several other homes and displaced about 60 people, according to NBC. All Pottstown schools were closed for students and staff on Friday due to the explosion, Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez announced Thursday night. He said there was no evidence found of working smoke detectors in the home. Hand said Tuesday afternoon that the investigation is ongoing. "Pottstown Manager Justin Keller, says five people died in the blast. A 44-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman remain in critical condition at regional trauma centers, according to Pottstown Police. THXEE CCCT* A COPT. "We'd call police, they'd come out, not smell anything, and say it was fine.". The farm is located at 356 Hard Hill Road (Route 143). Amys Pizzeria in Hatboro overwhelmed with local, global support after viral video of racist attack, Former Councilmember Bobby Henon sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for taking bribes, Mayor Kenneys final budget plan designed to make the city more equitable for all its residents. And it wasn't too far from where I lived. On the dumps of the coal mines surrounding this city, one can collect a number of minerals. A Montoursville area couple was left homeless Monday after an accidental fire erupted in their Upper Fairfield Township home. Chick-fil-A Royersford says customers under 16 must have an adult to dine in restaurant. Alana's mother, Kristina, and the children's father Eugene White were injured in the blast and they are still being treated at an area hospital. She is Beth Susan Gibson, 66, of the 8500 block of Kavanagh Road, 21222. Officials increased the death toll to five during a Friday afternoon press briefing. The growing memorial truly illustrates how Mrs. Nortons tent continues to be a source of comfort and how her bright ideas continue to shine during this dark time, the statement continued. MORNING, AUGUST 16, 1947. Killed in the blast were 67-year-old Francine White, 13-year-old Alana Wood, 12-year-old Jeremiah White, 10-year-old Nehemiah White and eight-year-old Tristan White. We should also ban houses. Together we can reach 100% of WHYYs fiscal year goal. brandon fugal wife; lucky 13 magazine 450 bushmaster. Email Frank Hand. 5 Killed, Including 4 Children, Identified in Pottstown House Explosion BREAKING Four children 13 years old or younger were among the five people killed in the massive house explosion in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, on Thursday evening. One male for every three females had been a victim of the fire. . @NBCPhiladelphia at 11pm pic.twitter.com/j6PYSmiFGV, BREAKING: 4 dead, 2 unaccounted for in house explosion in Pottstown. Credit: Cathy McKee. ", "It was like, 'was that person in that house?' Neighbors say they used to smell gas near the home that was destroyed. The victims were identified as 67-year-old Francine White, 13-year-old Alana Wood, 12-year-old Jeremiah White, 10-year-old Nehemiah White and 8-year-old Tristan White. My neighbor is burning in the back yard and the smoke is coming into my house. PECO, a Philadelphia-based energy company, said the property was not one of its natural gas customers. The Reading Eagle contributed to this report. Pottstown Fire Chief Frank Hand confirmed that a 14-year-old boy and a man "in his 50s" were both killed in the fire. "We now believe everyone has been accounted for," said Justin Keller, the Pottstown Borough Manager. One of them was undergoing surgery for unknown injuries and the other was in critical but stable condition, he said. Firefighters remove the first victim from an early morning fire Monday on East Fifth Street in Pottstown. "He was supposed to come over for Christmas," said Juck. . The blast originated at a home on Hale Street near Butler Avenue around 8 p.m. Thursday, and damaged other houses nearby. It was chaos as Mitchell and another resident, Carlos Ortiz, worked to rescue their children. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. I thought somebody dropped a bomb somewhere. Their names and ages are: Two victims are in critical condition. Meanwhile, the heartbroken family members have started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for funeral expense. pottstown police blotter. POTTSTOWN A 47-year-old woman rescued from a fire Monday that killed her husband and son also died of injuries, authorities said Tuesday. Morning Edition is the most listened-to news radio program in the country. Neighbors told Action News they frequently smelled gas in the area. We all came outside to see what was going on, another neighbor said. The New York City medical examiner's office. Phone: 610-970-6525. 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The victims were later identified as Francine White, 67, Alana Wood, 13, Jeremiah White, 12, Nehemiah White, 10, and 8-year-old Tristan White. What can I do? However, authorities did not release his name.Chief Frank Hand of the Pottstown Fire Department said the three victims were father, mother and son. "I see the smoke, I say kick it in, kick it in," said resident Barbara Mitchell. Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. "I just saw smoke and I thought the whole back of the house was gone and I just ran for the kids and ran out the door," Miller said. Morning clouds, patchy fog, and a lingering shower, then becoming partly sunny, breezy, and quite mild. ASSOCIATED CKVTSAI.-PRESS " 22. Those killed in the blast have been identified as Francine White, 67, Alana Wood, 13, Jeremiah White, 12, Nehemiah White, 10, and Tristan White, 8. A. tit. POTTSTOWN, Pa. A mother, father and son were killed in a Pottstown, Montgomery County, house fire on Monday. Cal Fire: At least 23 boats destroyed in dock fire 3 days ago. It hit too close to home., Pottstown home explodes, leaving 5 dead. Can I burn leaves/trash/construction waste. The victims who died in the explosion were identified as Francine White, 67, Alana Wood, 13, Jeremiah White, 12, Nehemiah White, 10, and Tristan White, 8, according to authorities. A former resident of the house said he lived there for 10-years and smelled gas often. Fire department officials told 69 News they have officially closed the investigation into the fire, and have ruled its cause as an accident. They moved in 1 year ago. The identities of the victims were released late Friday afternoon. The fire happened around 2:30 a.m. in the Pennsylvania home. POTTSTOWN, Pa. - The chaos in Pottstown has been replaced with cleaning crews, tasked with clearing the mess from Thursday night's house explosion. 16Dead,95Trapped "MBSDIE FULL STORY: This is the house my husband grew up in. 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POTTSTOWN PA - Two Pottsgrove School District students who were victims in Monday's (Oct. 17, 2022) suspected homicide within the borough were identified by name Wednesday (Oct. 19) by the Montgomery County District Attorney's office. Neighbors say the area smelled of gas. They are working to find out what it was being used for. It is the mission of the Pottstown Fire Department to provide a fire safe environment for the community; to further respond to and mitigate both man-made and natural emergencies and disasters in the Borough of Pottstown; to provide public education on fire prevention and safety; to integrate with other public safety agencies to ensure that highest quality of life is provided for the Pottstown community. Local headlines and stories are HeadTopics.com immediately. Officials: Woman killed after fire inside nursing home in Wynnefield. The two people hurt in the blast have been identified as Eugene White, 44, and Kristina Matuzsan, 32. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Emergency crews were called to the area of Hale Street and Butler Avenue around 8 p.m. last Thursday for reports of an explosion. WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor. Several homes destroyed and damaged. Multiple people injured after crash in Kensington. shotty's jello shots vegan; stephanie cartel crew before surgery; what does not retained mean on job application; new restaurants coming to jacksonville nc 2022 During the course of the investigation, it was learned that the alleged suspect, who was identified as Keith Moser of Columbus, OH, allegedly attempted to steal a car . They looked like they were alive. 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