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ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A car exploded in a downtown street, killing at least one person and resulting in an on-site shelter order for nearby residents, and federal authorities are helping local officials to conduct the investigation.
The explosion occurred at Allentown around 9:30 pm. On Saturday, Deputy Police Chief Gail Struss announced Sunday morning.
"We can confirm that there is at least one fatality," she said in a statement. A press conference was scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
City and County Lehigh authorities are investigating with state police, the FBI and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
"There does not seem to be any threat to public safety," the FBI said in a Twitter message. "We thank the people of the region for their patience as the evidence is collected and secured."
Resident Carlos Perodin told The Morning Call of Allentown that he was watching a movie with his wife when he heard an explosion of thunder and went to the scene.
"The fire was crazy," he says. "The car was pretty much divided in two."
Another witness to the consequences of the explosion, Stephanie Connelly, told The Morning Call that she had seen parts of the body scattered in the street.
"It's real life and I'm shaking and panicking as I run," she said.
According to the newspaper, a bus station has been turned into a makeshift command center with armored vehicles, dozens of police cars, mobile command units and even portable bathrooms. Several portable tents have also been erected for the processing of evidence.
Residents were asked to avoid the area, and locals were invited to stay there. A shelter has been set up in a primary school.
The FBI had previously indicated that it was working with other agencies and "to assess the situation and determine the cause, public safety being the highest priority of the office". The officials asked the people who witnessed the explosion or having information about it to contact the investigators.
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