House partially collapses in city's Mantua section

MANTUA (WPVI) -- At least 14 people have been evacuated after a home collapsed Sunday morning in Philadelphia's Mantua section.

Jaw dropping damage was done after the third floor suddenly fell on top of the second floor of the home on the 3900 block of Aspen Street around 6:15 a.m. Sunday.

"I was woken up by like a big, abrupt sound like thunder or an earthquake or something, I didn't know what to expect," said neighbor Crystal Nelson.

That sound was that of the roof of the home sliding to the ground, the outboard side wall crushed under it. Yet, framed pictures remained on the party wall.

The homeowner was not at home at the time of the collapse.

Next door neighbor Tiguah McClain smelled gas and says she immediately alerted the block while trying to find the owner of the damaged house.

"My neighbor next door, thank God she wasn't home, I kept calling her phone and I didn't see her car so I assumed she was working overnight like she normally does. So, when I finally got her on the phone I had to tell her, you have to come home," said McClain.

Authorities evacuated the two neighboring homes.

Amazingly, no one was hurt.

L&I officials have been called to the scene.

PECO has also been called due to downed utility wires.

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