https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Massive-Fire-Reports-of-Explosions-at-South-Philadelphia-Refinery-Philadelphia-Energy-Solutions-I-76-Closed-511615281.html


Residents were told to shelter-in-place as firefighters battle the blaze at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery

By NBC10 Staff
Published 4 hours ago | Updated 2 minutes ago

A massive fire and series of explosions rocked a South Philadelphia refinery complex, the largest on the East Coast, early Friday morning. The blast jolted people from their sleep and prompted a shelter-in-place.

Homes as far away as South Jersey were shook by a series of explosions as the blaze, which erupted shortly after 4 a.m., burned. Some residents in Philadelphia said the explosions knocked art off their walls.

"We've just had an explosion with heavy fire, [the commander] is requesting a third alarm for this location," a fire official relayed to dispatchers shortly after the largest blast.

One resident who lives next to the complex said, "I thought it was a meteor or something" after seeing the mushroom cloud rising from the facility.

The fire is contained on the property off Passyunk Avenue of the refinery, fire officials said shortly before 6 a.m. The blaze is still not under control.

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