Town hall held for neighbors affected by deadly Nicetown explosion

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- As the investigation into a deadly explosion in Philadelphia's Nicetown neighborhood continues, a community town hall was held Thursday night for people who were impacted by the blast.

"We're confident that it was a natural gas explosion. I don't think that's a stretch for anyone who saw that scene," Dennis Merrigan, the Philadelphia Chief Fire Marshal, told the crowd during the meeting at Edward Steel Elementary.

City officials and community organizations, like the American Red Cross, were on hand Thursday to offer resources to those affected by the tragedy.

The blast happened on the 1900 block of Bristol Street on June 29. Several homes collapsed, killing one person and displacing more than 100 residents.

RELATED: Nicetown residents concerned after second explosion in neighborhood

Almost a month later, a vacant lot now sits where the five destroyed homes once stood. Across from it, homes remain boarded up, and windows are shattered.

The healing process is still underway for people who live in the neighborhood.

Constance Stroman says the victim was her 63-year-old daughter, Marcella.

"It's been rough. It's been rough," Stroman told Action News.

Stroman's home was one of five that were destroyed and eventually razed.

"Right now I'm staying with my sister," she said. "On down the road, I'll probably need permanent housing."

Willie Lovelace said he is without a home after the tragedy. He told Action News, "I lost everything I had, and I have no real resources to help myself."

Fire department officials said they know the explosion was caused by an issue inside a home on that street, not with city infrastructure.

The fire department says three separate investigations into the explosion are currently underway - all in coordination with the Pennsylvania Utility Commission.

While fire officials hope to find the exact cause, they said it is possible it may never be determined.