'It looked like an apocalypse': Neighbors react to deadly house explosion in Pottstown
POTTSTOWN, Pa. - Neighbors are waking up to the aftermath of a deadly house explosion in Pottstown.
According to authorities, emergency personnel responded to the area of Hale Street and Butler Avenue for reports of an explosion on Thursday night around 8:07 p.m.
Pottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller announced four fatalities on Thursday night, but said the death toll rose to five by Friday afternoon.
Pottstown resident Steven Diamond spoke to FOX 29's Steve Keeley on Friday morning as he was outside observing the damage.
He says he was in bed when he heard an "extreme intense noise" that he says shook the neighborhood.
Diamond says he ran outside and saw a scene that "looked like an apocalypse."
The American Red Cross of Southern Pennsylvania says it provided 25 people from nine famines with emergency assistance, including, shelter, food and emotional support.
The local high school reopened at 8 a.m. on Friday to provide breakfast and lunch to displaced residents.
At a noon press conference on Friday, Keller and emergency response personnel said the investigation is active and ongoing.
The identities of the victims will be released by the police or coroner's office, according to Keller.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.