Pennsylvania Explosion Levels Homes

[Mimi]

(CNN) -- One person is dead and five others unaccounted for after an explosion believed caused by natural gas leveled several homes in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the city's fire chief said Thursday.

"We're actually looking for victims from the two homes that were leveled by the explosion and a victim from the third house, which suffered severe fire damage," Chief Robert Scheirer told CNN.

"I believe we're dealing with a recovery at this point," he said. "The fire is out. The gas line has been shut off. We have all the shelter victims being returned to their homes, the homes that can be habitable at this point."

The blast was reported just before 11 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/10/pennsylvania.explosion/index.html?hpt=T1