Man facing charges in blast that leveled Wissinoming house

    Police say a man is facing charges in an explosion that leveled a northeastern Philadelphia home.

    A police spokeswoman says copper piping had been removed from the home in the Wissinoming section of the city that exploded at 12:20 p.m. Saturday.

    She said that appears to have resulted in a natural gas leak that was followed by the explosion. No serious injuries were reported.

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    The home had been vacant for about a year and was up for sale.

    Police said a 35-year-old man was arrested and faces charges of risking or causing a catastrophe, burglary, theft, reckless endangering, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

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