Philadelphia

Boiler Explodes at Philly Energy Plant

By David Chang • •

A boiler exploded at a Philadelphia energy plant Wednesday, injuring one person. NBC10’s Drew Smith spoke to neighbors who felt their homes shake during the blast.

At least one person was injured after a boiler exploded at an energy plant in southwest Center City Wednesday afternoon.

A boiler exploded at an energy plant in Center City Wednesday afternoon. NBC10’s Drew Smith is on scene with the latest.

The blast occurred at the Veolia Energy Plant on 2600 Christian Street around 3:15 p.m. Officials say a boiler exploded inside the facility. Ten employees at the plant were evacuated, according to police. Fire officials say one person across the street from the plant was struck by shattered glass and was treated at the scene. A spokesperson for Veolia released a statement on the incident.

"Veolia North America experienced an eruption at our Schuylkill Station steam facility shortly after 3 o'clock today," the spokesperson wrote. "The incident was contained to the inside of the facility and there was no fire. There was one minor injury treated at the scene and all employees have been accounted for and are OK. Thermal energy services are uninterrupted at this time and we are shifting the steam load to our satellite facility as a backup. This plant provides thermal energy to approximately 300 clients in Philadelphia. The company will conduct a full investigation to determine what happened."

Jennifer Romano
A thick cloud of red smoke billowed from the Veolia steam energy plant in Southwest Center City Wednesday afternoon after a boiler exploded, fire officials said.
NBC10 - Drew Smith
The force of the explosion blew out windows at one home across the way from the steam energy plant.
Matt Cavalier
Matt Cavalier was working at a construction site for a new Children's Hospital of Philadelphia research facility next to the plant. He said the construction site was rocked by the blast.
Joel DeGrands/@joeldeg
People all over the city reported hearing and feeling the explosion. People shared photos from Center City skyscrapers.
Aaron J/@thekorky
Fire officials said the back of the boiler exploded, as it's designed to do in the event of a excess pressure build-up.
Aaron J/@thekorky
A spokesperson for the plant said they're not yet sure what led to the boiler explosion.
Kim Urban
One person was hurt by flying glass, but they're expected to be OK, fire officials said.
Jason Weitzel
The plant, owned by Veolia Energy, is a steam cogeneration plant that serves 300 customers across Philadelphia.
Philadelphia fire officials dispatched a number of fire companies and paramedics immediately after the blast reports.
Andrei Litvinov
Andrei captured this view of the steam plant seconds after the explosion happened.
Lindsay Ladd
A father and his children look on as a Philadelphia Police officer sets up a perimeter following the blast.

Christian Street was closed as inspectors and L&I officials investigated. It was later reopened.

Residents in homes and buildings as far as a mile away from the plant said the blast shook their windows.

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"All of a sudden I hear a boom," a witness told NBC10. "It looked like a thousand bricks exploded. Like a mushroom cloud of red brick that went up in the sky."

Another witness told NBC10 she felt her entire house shake during the blast.

"[It felt] like someone hit my house," she said. "I looked outside and nothing was going on so I assumed it was something underground because the entire house shook. Things fell off my walls and everything."

Officials continue to investigate the cause of the explosion.

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PhiladelphiaDavid ChangCENTER CITY
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