The second explosion was linked to cooking equipment, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Fire Department told PEOPLE, and this blast caused no injuries
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NEED TO KNOW
- New York Bagels in Philadelphia has experienced two explosions caused by cooking equipment this year
- The second explosion reportedly occurred hours before a planned reopening after renovations, leaving the shop heavily damaged
- Owner Rayyan Kayyali plans to reopen soon, crediting community support for helping him stay optimistic
A Philadelphia bagel shop has exploded twice this year.
New York Bagels, a bagel shop in the Overbrook Park neighborhood of Philadelphia, has had two explosions this year, leading to one injury, according to the Philadelphia Fire Department.
A spokesperson for the department told PEOPLE that firefighters responded to the second explosion at the shop on Sunday, May 10, around 5:15 a.m.
“The Fire Marshal's Office coordinated with several agencies and determined the cause was from cooking equipment” in both this explosion and one that occurred earlier this year, the spokesperson said.
“Someone was injured in the first explosion, but they did survive. Thankfully there were no injuries in the one on Sunday,” they added.
Per CBS News, the explosion left the front façade shattered and blew out ceiling tiles.
"I just want to kind of process this," owner Rayyan Kayyali told the outlet. "What are the odds of this happening to me twice?"
When he was called about the second explosion, Kayyali said he was in shock.
“I thought it was a joke," Kayyali told CBS News. "I was completely shocked. This was way worse than last time, stronger than last time."
He said none of his employees were injured.
"I told all of them to be there at 4," Kayyali said. "Thank God nobody listened, thank God they missed their alarms."
The Philadelphia Fire Department confirmed to the outlet that the explosion was accidental and connected to the store's oven, while Philadelphia Gas Works said the explosion appeared to be linked to the shop's commercial range.
The outlet reported that the explosion in March was caused by the oven as well.
Kayyali had reportedly planned a grand reopening on May 10 following weeks of renovations, complete with 1,000 bagels, 500 pounds of cream cheese and other deli items.
"It's unfortunate, but it's God's plan," Kayyali said.
He told the outlet he plans to reopen as soon as possible with a new oven, adding that he greatly appreciates the community support.
"People are amazing, people are so loving," he said. "That's what is keeping me through this."
Rabbi Moshe Brennan from Chabad of Penn Wynn, which is located in the same strip as New York Bagels, told FOX 29 that the store is “a staple that draws people to the area.”
“Sometimes, when we want to tell people where we are, we're like, 'You know where New York Bagels is? We're on the same strip," he told the outlet.
The bagel shop claims on its website that it is the “oldest kosher institution in the area,” making New York-style bagels with the goal of “honoring tradition” and sharing it with the community.
New York Bagels and Philadelphia Gas Works did not immediately reply to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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