Philadelphia area digs out from damage left by a severe series of microburst storms

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Residents in some Philadelphia neighborhoods and surrounding counties were cleaning up Sunday from widespread damage caused by a line of severe, short thunderstorms that passed through.

The storms, called microbursts, passed through Saturday afternoon, downing trees and power lines, flooding a handful of streets and causing structural damage. A building that collapsed in a West Philadelphia neighborhood threw bricks into the street, crushing cars and blocking trolley tracks.

The National Weather Service said at least four of the microbursts brought straight-line wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph (97 to 113 kph) to Montgomery and Philadelphia counties between about 2:30 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday. Despite speculation that the damage — including part of a roof torn off a Philadelphia Housing Authority apartment building — had been caused by a tornado, NWS officials confirmed the straight-line winds were to blame.

The microbursts in Philadelphia were among a range of severe weather across the U.S. this weekend that included heatwaves, flooding and wildfires.

In a news release early Sunday from Philadelphia officials, Mayor Cherelle Parker said she had toured the damage in multiple neighborhoods in her city throughout Saturday afternoon and evening. The city issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency related to the storms.

“Every level of government is working together today, tonight, and for as long as it takes to respond to this storm, restore services, and help our residents recover. That is our commitment,” she said.

Philadelphia Housing Authority officials said 11 residential units were affected by the roof and water damage at its apartment building. All residents were safely evacuated to temporary shelter before being relocated to a nearby hotel.

Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management staff also helped evacuate at least one private residential property because of damage as well, city officials said.

This image taken from video shows authorities inspecting a car lying half-submerged in water on a Philadelphia street on Sunday, July 12, 2026 after a line of severe, short thunderstorms passed through the city the day before. (WPVI-TV/6ABC via AP)

This image taken from video shows authorities inspecting a car lying half-submerged in water on a Philadelphia street on Sunday, July 12, 2026 after a line of severe, short thunderstorms passed through the city the day before. (WPVI-TV/6ABC via AP)

This image taken from video shows a broken tree branch on a street, Sunday, July 12, 2026 after a line of severe, short thunderstorms passed through the city the day before in Philadelphia. (WPVI-TV/6ABC via AP)

BANGKOK (AP) — A huge fire engulfed a pub in Bangkok early on Monday morning, killing at least 27 people before firefighters brought the blaze under control, officials said.

Footage shared online by first responders shows a huge blaze raging and plumes coming out of the front door of the Na Ladprao pub in the northern part of the Thai capital. People are seen trying to flee as thick black smoke billows into the sky. Rescuers said the fire was reported around midnight.

Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters at the scene that 27 people died and that several of the injured have been taken to the hospital. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Anutin said a musician who was performing at the pub told him that he saw smoke coming out of a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, then an explosion was heard and thick smoke quickly filled the place.

Many of victims were found in the restrooms, at the back of the pub, Anutin added.

Firefighters took about half an hour to bring the fire under control. Photos of the aftermath show charred tables and chairs, and the damaged interior of the pub.

Thailand has seen similar tragedies in the past. In 2022, 14 people were killed by a fire at a music pub in the eastern part of the country.

And more than a decade before that, 66 people were killed and more than 200 injured in a fire during a Jan. 1, 2009 New Year’s Eve celebration at the Santika nightclub in Thailand's capital. That blaze was apparently sparked by an indoor fireworks display.

Bodies of victims of a fire are seen laid in a row in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Mobile phones of victims of a fire are recovered in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in blue, inspects the site of a fire as bodies of victims are laid in a row in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Rescuers carry the body of a victim of a fire in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Bodies of victims of a fire are seen laid in a row in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)