3 killed after car explodes in suburban Pennsylvania; suspect likely among the dead

The FBI and ATF are investigating the blast.

September 30, 2018, 6:11 PM

Three men died after a car exploded late Saturday in Allentown, Pennsylvania, authorities said.

The suspect was likely among those killed in the blast, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said at a Sunday news conference.

Philadelphia ABC station WPVI reported the blast, which took place about 9:30 p.m., shook windows of houses in the neighborhood.

Photos of the scene showed debris from the car strewn across the block.

PHOTO: A deadly car explosion rattled a neighborhood in Allentown, Pa., on Friday, Sept. 29, 2018.
A deadly car explosion rattled a neighborhood in Allentown, Pa., on Friday, Sept. 29, 2018.
Rich Rolen
PHOTO: A frame from a video shot by an eyewitness of the car explosion which killed one person in Allentown, Penn.
A frame from a video shot by an eyewitness of the car explosion which killed one person in Allentown, Penn.
Mike Hunter

It is not clear how or why the explosion happened.

Authorities called the explosion an isolated incident and said there is no further threat to the public.

Autopsies will be performed Monday, said Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim.

PHOTO: A deadly car explosion rattled a neighborhood in Allentown, Pa., on Friday, Sept. 29, 2018.
A deadly car explosion rattled a neighborhood in Allentown, Pa., on Friday, Sept. 29, 2018.
Rich Rolen

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are among the agencies at the scene.

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

PHOTO: Police investigate a deadly car explosion rattled a neighborhood in Allentown, Pa., on Friday, Sept. 29, 2018.
Police investigate a deadly car explosion rattled a neighborhood in Allentown, Pa., on Friday, Sept. 29, 2018.
Rich Rolen

The Red Cross tweeted it had set up a temporary shelter in the area.

The area surrounding the explosion has been cordoned off by authorities for blocks.

Allentown is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

ABC News' Will Gretsky, Ben Stein and Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.