WATCH: Space Satellites Capture South Philadelphia Oil Refinery Explosion
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Friday's major explosion at a South Philadelphia refinery was so massive that it was detected by space satellites. The National Weather Service tweeted out a gif of the explosion Friday afternoon.
Major Explosion, Fire At Oil Refinery In South Philadelphia
The oil refinery explosion was so hot that its heat signature was captured by satellite. That red blip you see in the below tweet is the explosion, which happened just after 4 a.m.
Here's a slower loop of the same image, a little easier on the eyes pic.twitter.com/WPHGDWfOTK
— NWS Key West (@NWSKeyWest) June 21, 2019
The fire broke out at the 150-year-old refinery complex on the 3100 block of Passyunk Avenue, just after 4 a.m. and reached three-alarms, Philadelphia Fire Department Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy said during a press conference Friday morning.
Chopper 3 was over the explosion Friday.
Officials say the fire is contained but not yet under control.