Arrest Made In Wissinoming House Collapse

Police say a neighborhood man stole copper piping from a vacant home in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia, causing a natural gas leak and explosion that leveled the two-story house Saturday afternoon.

Michael Migliaccio, 35, was arrested later that night.

The house on the 4700 block of East Howell Street had been vacant for about a year, and was for sale, according to Philadelphia police.

No major injuries were reported in the collapse.  A fire department dispatcher said crews are still excavating the home to make sure there was no one inside.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20130708_Arrest_made_in_Wissinoming_house_collapse.html#Gm5RLYxgOBs1Sdzm.99

Source: Machine Operator In Collapse To Be Charged

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The 42-year-old man who was operating the excavator in Wednesday’s building collapse in Center City will be charged with risking and causing a catastrophe and six counts of involuntary manslaughter, a senior law enforcement official told The Inquirer on Friday.

Blood tests revealed marijuana in Sean Benschop’s system at levels that “he was unfit to perform safety-sensitive, job-related duties,” according to a toxicology report.

Benschop, who has also used the name Kary Roberts, according to court records, will additionally be charged with reckless endangerment and will face other charges from the injuries to 14 victims of the collapse.

The charges of causing a catastrophe and risking a catastrophe are felonies.  The involuntary-manslaughter charges are first-degree misdemeanors.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20130608_Source__Machine_operator_in_collapse_to_be_charged.html#6r84qROfFDJVp5xO.99