Allentown car explosion One dead and one injured in Pennsylvania

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police have confirmed that a car explosion in Allentown has killed at least one person.

The blast happened in Allentown around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Assistant Police Chief Gail Struss said early Sunday.

Authorities have cordoned off a large area and set up mobile command units as they continue to investigate.

Authorities are looking to speak to all witnesses. The FBI urges anyone with information to call investigators at 215-418-4000.

Anyone who witnessed or has information on the blast who has not yet spoken to investigators is asked to contact us as soon as possible at 215-418-4000 or https://t.co/M0Wg0RiRKf.https://t.co/sysF5CR0Rf

— FBI Philadelphia (@FBIPhiladelphia) ٣٠ سبتمبر ٢٠١٨

Residents were asked to avoid the area, and people who live nearby were asked to shelter in place. A shelter was set up at an elementary school.

Talked to an Allentown resident. She ran up after the first explosion, saw fire and flying body parts. Car exploded two more times after that

— Jon Harris (@ByJonHarris) ٣٠ سبتمبر ٢٠١٨

Resident Carlos Perodin told The Morning Call of Allentown that he was watching a movie with his wife when he heard a thunderous explosion and went to the scene.

"The fire was crazy," he said. "The car was pretty much split in half."

A bus station was turned into a makeshift command center with armored vehicles, dozens of police cruisers, mobile command units and even portable bathrooms, the paper reported. Several portable tents were also erected for evidence processing.

Stephanie Connelly was in Center City Allentown on Saturday evening shopping at a neighborhood store when she heard an explosion that rocked the ground.

She said she immediately thought of the massive gas explosion several years ago that claimed five lives and went running toward the sound.

“My friends and I all looked at each other and ran as fast as we could,” Connelly said Sunday morning. “We’re thinking about people and their pets. No one knew what was going on.”

Connelly and her friends ran to the scene just north of the PPL Arena between Seventh and Eighth streets where officials say a car exploded, killing at least one person.

The burning hulk of the car was nearly unrecognizable, she said, and flaming parts littered the street. She heard a second explosion — then a third one as people screamed for help and ran for cover, Connelly said.

The grisly scene that she saw next — several body parts strewn across the street — shook her to the core.

“I ran away, seeing body parts, and I couldn’t believe this is real,” a sobbing Connelly said.

“This is real life and I’m shaking and freaking out while I’m running. I still can’t believe it.”

Connelly said the car was parked at an alley between Turner and Hall streets, just west of the LANTA bus station.

City and Lehigh County authorities are investigating along with state police, the FBI and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.