All Rights Reserved. The victims were later identified as Francine White, 67, Alana Wood, 13, Jeremiah White, 12, Nehemiah White, 10, and 8-year-old Tristan White. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. "It was just raw emotion.". PECO, a Philadelphia-based energy company, said the property was not one of its natural gas customers. -photo courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department- One of the victims has been identified. Keller, in a Friday afternoon press conference, said investigators are "looking into" claims about the constant smell of gas in the area. 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. For more information visit www.Dreibelbisfarm.org, "Historic Dreibelbis Farm" on Facebook or contact Mark or. Neighbor Christian Gonzalez says he thought it was thunder at first. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? brandon fugal wife; lucky 13 magazine 450 bushmaster. Borough Hall. The identities of the victims were released late Friday afternoon. However, authorities did not release his name.Chief Frank Hand of the Pottstown Fire Department said the three victims were father, mother and son. "We now believe everyone has been accounted for," said Justin Keller, the Pottstown Borough Manager. 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. . Keller said around a dozen people were displaced. The New York City medical examiner's office. Spanish: La Mure, distrito de Grenoble, Isre, Regin de Auvernia-Rdano-Alpes, Francia. Can I burn leaves/trash/construction waste. She was identified by the Lehigh County Coroner's. We're hearing from the football coach of the youngest victim. Authorities are still working to determine what caused the wreckage. Crews were still blasting water on the explosion site early Friday morning. We should also ban houses. Crews begin cleanup after deadly house explosion in Pottstown, WATCH: News conf. Mercer County Coroner John Libonati has identified the victim as Lewis Isenberg, 40, of Sandy Lake Township. A former resident of the house said he lived there for 10-years and smelled gas often. ", "That's what Pottstown does," said Corson. Fv 27, 2023 . Their names and ages are: Francine White, 67 Alana Wood, 13 Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. May 28, 2022 Officials have identified the five people who were killed and the two people who were seriously injured in a Thursday night house explosion in Pottstown, Montgomery County. A Montoursville area couple was left homeless Monday after an accidental fire erupted in their Upper Fairfield Township home. ASSOCIATED CKVTSAI.-PRESS " 22. All schools in the Pottstown School District are canceled Friday. There was a problem saving your notification. If you are unsure on how to explain this tragic news to your young children, please reach out to the (Lauers Park) main office for assistance and resources, the statement read. 5 Killed, Including 4 Children, Identified in Pottstown House Explosion, Pottstown house explosion leaves 5 dead, four victims between 8-13 years old, At least 4 dead after house explosion in Pennsylvania: Officials, Officials: 4 dead, 2 hurt in Pennsylvania home explosion, Kaley Cuoco says it was 'love at first sight with boyfriend Tom Pelphrey, Latam Cryptocurrency Exchange Bitso Announces Layoffs Amidst Expansion to Colombia Bitcoin News. They believe the fire started accidentally in the house's kitchen, which they then believe grew to an appliance related fire. Success! Pottstown Fire Chief Frank Hand said the . FULL VIDEO: Borough Manager Justin Keller and Fire Chief Frank Hand give an update at noon Friday on a deadly house explosion in Pottstown. Firefighters, police and EMS responded to the calls. 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 . This family did not deserve what happened to them.. In a statement released Tuesday by the Reading School District, Bernadette Norton was described as a beloved school counselor at Lauers Park Elementary.. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Simplified Chinese: , , , --, . Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. "South of Grenoble on the N85. The unidentified dead were buried but never forgotten. 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. The fire broke out early Monday morning, which had originally resulted in two deaths, and one person in critical condition. The victims were later identified as Francine White, 67, Alana Wood, 13, Jeremiah White, 12, Nehemiah White, 10, and 8-year-old Tristan White. They have been identified as: The relationship between the victims has not been disclosed. Please give today. The coroner identified the victims as: A 14-year-old killed the fire, was identified as the Norton's son. A fast-moving fire. "I thought a bomb went off. Their names and ages are: Two victims are in critical condition. Frank HandPhone: 610-970-6525Email Frank Hand. Fire investigators believe the fire started in the second floor apartment where Juck lived. Authorities have identified the people killed in Thursday's house explosion on Hale Street in Pottstown. 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ATF, Pennsylvania State Police, the fire marshals office, and the Red Cross also arrived to the scene Thursday night. Of them, 20 were deemed false alarms. Four Children Among Five Killed In Pottstown Home Explosion, Police SayPottstown Explosion Latest: Pottstown police identified the victims as 13-year-old Alana Wood, 12-year-old Jeremiah White, 10-year-old Nehemiah White, 8-year-old Tristan White, and 67-year-old Francine White. Suggest Listing The pair was discovered after Pottstown Police Department officers responded to a flurry of 9-1-1 calls Monday, shortly after 11:30 p.m., in which callers said they heard shots fired in the vicinity of Fourth and Johnson streets. Mitchell told Action News how she and several others tried to save their neighbor from his second floor apartment. The Red Cross continues to help about 25 people from nine families at the high school. The explosion It happened just after 8 p.m. Thursday near the area of Hale and Butler streets. That victim has not yet been identified. You have permission to edit this article. "I grabbed them," said Ortiz. Chief Frank Hand of the Pottstown Fire Department said the three victims were father, mother and son. All rights reserved. They site that this would have most likely resulted in house-wide mechanical failures. All Pottstown schools were closed for students and staff on Friday due to the explosion, Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez announced Thursday night. A picture is part of the memorial for school counselor Bernadette Norton set up outside Lauer's Park Elementary School in Reading, PA Tuesday afternoon June 22, 2021. The blast damaged several other homes and displaced about 60 people, according to NBC. Authorities arrived to find a home completely leveled and a massive debris field with damage to neighboring properties. She was born June 6, 1996 at Bloomsburg Hospital. Sadly, all three family members passed away due to the fire or related injuries, leaving the community to mourn them. Residents tell Action News they heard a blast and then reported seeing a fire. When schools open again, our counselors and psychologists will be available to provide support.. We all came outside to see what was going on, another neighbor said. Police have yet to identify a cause for the explosion. 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. Neighbors say the area smelled of gas. It is gone now. A neighborhood is in disbelief. Neighbors are looking for answers, after four children and one woman were killed. Phone: 610-970-6500. Multiple people injured after crash in Kensington. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Their kids loved our dog too so they would ride their bikes and followed us on walks, said neighbor Rebecca Scott. Two of the homes were completely destroyed, authorities said Friday. At least four people were transported to the hospital and about eight vehicles were involved in the crash. She is Beth Susan Gibson, 66, of the 8500 block of Kavanagh Road, 21222. There was an error processing your request. They looked like they were alive. The blast originated at a home on Hale Street near Butler Avenue around 8 p.m. Thursday, and damaged other houses nearby. They say careless smoking could have sparked the blaze, but the investigation is ongoing. A Montgomery County fast food restaurant is banning those under the age of 16 from dining in without an adult after a series of unacceptable behaviors. "They had a journey, they explored everything, you can buy them a million toys in this whole world, and they would go out and find their own things to play with.". The victim reported he was approached in the parking lot by a man, later identified as Moyer, who indicated he had a gun but did not display a weapon. 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're hearing from the football coach of the youngest victim. Chief Frank Hand of the Pottstown fire department said the three victims were father, mother and son. Bernadette Norton was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital, where she was taken after being rescued from the flames and smoke-filled home. Me and my friend, we came up here and saw them pulling people out, resident Zynir Felton said. My neighbor is burning in the back yard and the smoke is coming into my house. ", "It was like, 'was that person in that house?' As questions remain, neighbors are still stunned. Firefighters found "a victim in the fire room, already deceased," Lengel said. Five people lost their lives in the massive blast. Eugene White, 44, and Kristina Matuzsan, 32, were injured and. Police identified the victims Friday. At least 4 dead after house explosion in Pennsylvania: OfficialsPottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller confirmed the fatalities during a press conference and said two other people might still be missing. Its crazy because nothing really happens in Pottstown.. 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. Cause of tragic Pottstown house fire determined, officials say, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Jeremiah White, 12, Nehemiah White, 10, were both killed in the explosion along with three others. I really thought it was really loud thunder just nearby, but it shook the area, he said. Also not yet released is the cause of the smoky fire which killed all three, as well as the family dog. 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