Context:

An explosion followed by a fire led to the collapse of three row houses in Philadelphia's Nicetown section, injuring at least two women. The Philadelphia Fire Department responded to the incident at 1900 West Bristol Street, where the explosion had caused the buildings to 'explode in on themselves.' Firefighters managed to rescue two elderly women, transporting them to hospitals, with one in critical condition and the other stable. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, and a collapse zone has been established as secondary collapses affected at least five row homes. The fire department is actively searching the debris for any additional victims, with efforts focused on preventing further damage to neighboring homes and ensuring everyone's safety in the area.

Dive Deeper:

• An explosion early Sunday morning in Philadelphia's Nicetown section caused three row houses to collapse, resulting in a fire that injured two women. The city's fire department responded to the scene at 4:50 a.m. following reports of the explosion.

• Preliminary reports indicated the possibility of trapped individuals, but firefighters managed to locate two elderly women and transport them to area hospitals. One of the women is in critical condition, while the other is stable.

• The primary explosion led to 'secondary collapses,' affecting at least five row homes, with the cause of the explosion still unknown. Fire marshals are on the scene to investigate.

• A collapse zone has been set up to prevent further damage, and ten people were evacuated from the area to ensure their safety. The scene remains active, with firefighters focused on maintaining the stability of surrounding properties.

• Fire department crews are meticulously searching through the rubble to ensure no one else is trapped or unaccounted for. The operation is expected to continue throughout the day as they work to manage the incident's aftermath.