A report said four children were among five people killed in an explosion at a home in Pennsylvania on Thursday night.
Alana Wood, 13; Jeremiah White, 12; Nehemiah White, 10; Tristan White, 8; According to WPVI-TV, officials said Friday that 67-year-old Francine White was killed in the Pottstown explosion, which destroyed a house and caused heavy damage to others.
The station reported that 44-year-old Eugene White and 32-year-old Christina Matujson were left in critical condition. It was not clear how the victims were related.
Officials said the cause of the blast was being investigated.
Neighbor Kim Kulp says her grandson was the best friend of the young victims.
“Everyone is going to be affected by this. It’s just awful. It hit very close to home,” Kulp told the station.
Neighbor Rebecca Scott said, “Their kids also loved our dog, so they used to ride their bikes and follow us.” “They were really great kids. This family didn’t deserve what happened to them.”
Shocked neighbors described the violent effect, which triggered a massive two-alarm fire.
“I actually thought it was a really strong rumble nearby, but it shook the area,” Christian Gonzalez told the station.
“The house shook and I thought it was an earthquake. We all came out to see what was happening,” another neighbor reportedly said.
Classes were canceled Friday in the borough of 22,000, about 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those families. When schools reopen, our counselors and psychologists will be available to provide support,” superintendent Stephen Rodriguez reportedly wrote in a letter to the families.
