A fire broke out Tuesday at a West Philadelphia home where Police made a very strange discovery.
The fire started around 9:50 a.m. at a house on the 100 block of North 59th Street. Firefighters contained the blaze by 10:30 a.m., but three neighboring homes were damaged. Several people have been displaced.
Upon investigation Monday night, officials discovered 154 single-gallon milk containers filled with fuel.
The 911 calls started going out at around 8 p.m. Monday night. Firefighters responded to the area of 59th Street, near Arch Street.
They went into the abandoned house and found the gasoline-filled jugs on the steps of the first floor, according to police.
“Clearly a fire hazard, very unsafe,” Chief Inspector Scott Small said on scene. “And they’re in very unsafe containers.”
After a quick investigation, the police were able to determine that the owner of the house was actually the one behind storing a large amount of gas in the house but as of now his motive was unclear. The unidentified 37-year-old man is currently in for questioning according to the Police.
“This gas may have been for sale, [to make] some money, or possibly can be used for more nefarious reasons — arson,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small. “We don’t know.”
WEST PHILLY HAZMAT: @PhillyPolice say they found 154 plastic one-gallon milk jugs full of gasoline inside a vacant home on 59th street. Hear what they think it may have been used for coming up on @CBSPhilly at 530, 6, and 630am #Philadelphia #Philly pic.twitter.com/YO3WatT3RQ
— Ross DiMattei CBS-3 (@RossDiMattei) August 2, 2022
More details of this incident from Fox News report:
Police in Philadelphia say they have uncovered 154 one-gallon jugs of gasoline inside an abandoned home in the northern part of the city.
The discovery Monday comes as average gas prices are currently hovering around $4.460 a gallon in Pennsylvania, according to AAA.
“That’s scary, especially considering I got kids. It is scary. Very scary. I didn’t even know until they opened the door,” one neighbor told Fox29 Philadelphia.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Philadelphia Police Department said “it was discovered in the living room floor, 154 one-gallon containers containing gasoline.
“License and Inspections along with the Fire Department were removing the containers and determining any code violations,” police added.
Investigators spoke to a person of interest who later was released.
That individual was identified by Fox29 Philadelphia as the 37-year-old property owner.
The story gets even more bizarre…After the fire department removed the gas jugs, the house caught on fire.
Fire breaks out at Philadelphia home where 154 jugs of gasoline were found https://t.co/iGx6h5wd8S
— Katie Katro (@KatieKatro6abc) August 2, 2022
Added these details from ‘ABC 6 News’:
The site of an unusual and dangerous discovery in West Philadelphia has been decimated by fire less than 12 hours after the initial investigation began.
More than 150 jugs of gasoline were found in the vacant home on the 100 block of 59th Street near Arch Street around 8 p.m. Monday.
At 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, the home was on fire.
Chopper 6 over the scene showed smoke coming from the home. Several firefighters could be seen battling the fire on the roof.
Photos taken earlier from the scene showed flames shooting from the front of the house.
The fire was placed under control just after 10:30 a.m.
Officials said no one was inside at the time and there was no word on the cause of the fire.
Residents who live in the neighboring row homes were able to get out safely. One firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Charges have not been filed in the case.
Sources: WLT, ABC 6 News, Fox29
