Allentown, Pa., Explosion Forces Evacuations

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - An explosion in the eastern Pennsylvania city of Allentown has spawned fires, downed power lines and prompted the evacuation of two city blocks.

CBS Station KYW in Philadelphia reports Lehigh County emergency crews responded to reports of a home explosion late Wednesday evening.

Police confirmed that a house exploded around 10:45 p.m. Fire resulting from the explosion reached three-alarm status and emergency crews evacuated neighboring buildings.

A retirement home located about a block from the explosion was being evacuated. CBS Philly reports that the home has about 700 residents.

The [Allentown] Morning Call says the 10:45 p.m. Wednesday blast sent emergency vehicles to scene at 13th and Liberty streets in the center of the city, where at least four buildings were ablaze with more threatened.

At least one firefighter was initially reported injured.

WFMZ-TV reported that police closed off the area as a third alarm was sounded for additional crews to respond to the scene and battle the fires. The station said crews from Reading-based UGI were also on the scene, although the source of the blast was not immediately known.

There is no explanation yet as to what caused the explosion.