Philadelphia gas explosion kills 1, 5 injured

A gas explosion in Northeast Philadelphia Tuesday night killed one gas company worker and sent five people to the hospital, three of whom were in critical condition, authorities said.

Executive Fire Chief Daniel A. Williams said late Tuesday night that the body of a dead Philadelphia Gas Works employee was found at the scene of the explosion in 6900 block of Torresdale Avenue in the Tacony neighborhood, Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It happened around 7:36 p.m. in the middle of Disston Street near Torresdale Avenue 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, NBC Philadelphia reports.