Backhoe blamed in gas station blast; no injuries reported

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Authorities say an explosion caused heavy damage to a north Philadelphia gas station, but no injuries were reported.

Police say a backhoe punctured an underground gas tank about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the 7-Eleven station, causing the blast.

The store wasn’t damaged, but the explosion left a large hole in the ground.

7-Eleven said the area in front of the store was undergoing construction and was closed to customers at the time of the blast.