Video Allentown Explosion 3 Dead: Gross Towers Evacuated

About a dozen people were injured and more than 350 were forced to evacuate from surrounding blocks and the Gross Towers seniors apartment complex when an apparent gas leak ignited at 544 N. 13th St. The home is owned by 74-year-old Beatrice Hall and her 79-year-old husband, William. The Halls’ daughter-in-law, Michelle Hall, confirmed the couple were among the dead.

“This has been a very difficult, rough 12-hour period for the victims of this tragedy and their families,” Mayor Ed Pawlowski said at a Thursday morning news conference. “Their lives have been turned upside down. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to these families, especially those who lost loved ones.”

"One of the things we do have obviously is blankets and things like that," Janice Osborne, American Red Cross, told 69 News during a live interview overnight. "It's a feeling of comfort and security right now. We're also providing hot coffee and food and snacks for the people, just for that sense of comfort, to keep everyone warm."

Some members of Allentown City Council were among the volunteers on hand to help the evacuees get as comfortable as they could at the makeshift shelter.