Crime & Safety

Coroner Says Four Deaths In Allentown Explosion Were Accidental

Tests still awaited on fifth victim.

 The deaths of four people in the natural gas explosion in Allentown on Feb. 9 has been ruled accidental.

In a release Wednesday, Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim ruled on the manner of death for William Hall, 79, and his wife, Beatrice, 74, of 544 N. 13th St.; and Katherine Cruz, 16, and her son, Matthew Vega, 4 months, of 542 N. 13 St.

Grim said the coroner's office is waiting for test results on the fifth victim, Ofelia Ben, 69, before ruling on her cause and manner of death.

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Eight homes were destroyed in the blast.

Officials have yet to rule on the cause of the explosion, though crews have identified and removed a section of aging cast iron gas pipe that might be at fault.

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