A massive fire has erupted at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in Southwest Philadelphia shaking nearby homes and sending thick smoke into the air. Homes as far away as South Jersey were rocked by a series of explosions as the blaze, which erupted shortly after 4 a.m., burned. Some residents in Philadelphia said the explosions knocked art off their walls. The fire is contained on the property off Passyunk Avenue of the refinery, fire officials said shortly before 6 a.m. Authorities have not yet said if any workers were injured or not. The site is the PES refinery at 3100 W. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia Fire Department is asking residents and businesses east of the fire location in South Philadelphia to shelter-in-place until further notice.

Pennsauken Township will begin replacing a storm sewer on Chestnut Avenue on Monday, July 15th. The project will require a stretch of Chestnut Avenue to close throughout the week. From Monday, July 15th, until Friday, July 19th, crews will fully close Chestnut Avenue between Merchantville Avenue and East Hollywood Circle from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Crews will continue the storm sewer replacement the following week, from July 22nd to 26th, but will not require a road closure. The shoulder of the roadway will be closed during this time. This project is expected to be completed by the end of work hours on Friday, July 26. Scheduling and project timing is also dependent on weather and may be adjusted due to unforeseen events.

The Cherry Hill Board of Education will hold a moderated forum ahead of its regular meeting Tuesday evening to interview four replacement candidates for a pair of vacancies created by the resignations of board members David Rossi and Edward Wang on June 11th and 25th. The board whittled the candidate pool down to four hopefuls in executive-session interviews: Rosy Arroyo, Emily Capella, Corrien Elmore Stratton, and Ben Ovadia. All four will participate in a public information session at 5 p.m. July 9, during which each will have the opportunity to deliver opening and closing remarks and to answer interview questions from the governing body. The proceedings will be livestreamed by the district.

Mary Hilbert, female chef on the food truck, Mary’s Mobile Diner - a fixture at many Merchantville events - will will be feeding the Good Morning America staff breakfast and lunch options Wednesday , Thursday and Friday. This Jersey diner on wheels serves fresh made to order breakfast, lunch and dinner options for meat lovers and vegetarians. Mary focuses on homemade food made with fresh ingredients at a reasonable price point. Most items are $7 or $8 making it a very good value. She doesn’t skimp on the portions either. “I’m a mobile diner, there should be leftovers,” she says. To contact her for your event call (856) 840-3660.