Authorities assessing the scene of the explosion at New Diamond Chinese Restaurant.
Early Saturday morning, the New Diamond Chinese Restaurant in Philadelphia was rocked by an explosion caused by a suspect lighting fireworks near an ATM. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident, but the community is left shocked and concerned. The Philadelphia Police Bomb Squad is investigating the explosion, while the restaurant plans to reopen despite the disturbance. The incident has raised safety fears among local residents, who are questioning the motivations behind such reckless behavior.
In a shocking turn of events, the New Diamond Chinese Restaurant, located on the 2900 block of Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia, experienced an explosion early Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 1:16 a.m. on April 26, 2025, leaving both guests and residents in a state of disbelief.
When the local police department received calls about the explosion, officers quickly rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered that the restaurant’s ATM had suffered severe damage. Smoke was visible in the area, a clear sign of the disturbance that just unfolded. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported from the incident, a small relief amidst the chaos.
In a twist that might be straight out of a movie, surveillance video showed a suspect entering the restaurant just before the explosion occurred. The footage reveals the individual apparently lighting two fireworks next to the ATM. They then made a swift getaway, leaving without taking any money from the machine. It raises the question: what drives someone to such reckless behavior, especially when there’s no financial gain involved?
The restaurant’s owner was present and cooking during the explosion, describing the moment as quite frightening. Hearing the blast and watching smoke billow through the air was certainly not part of their typical Saturday routine. It’s hard to imagine how the sound of the explosion must have sent chills down their spine, especially in such an unexpected situation.
The aftermath of the explosion has left the community feeling uneasy. Local resident Sharon Gilmore shared her concerns for the safety of those living in the area, highlighting the dangers posed by potential fires. The fear that this sort of dangerous activity could happen again has residents on edge. Another neighbor, Bonita Polite, voiced her disappointment over the act of destroying machines, suggesting that individuals in need of money should rather seek lawful means of earning. It’s clear that the sentiment in Strawberry Mansion is one of both shock and annoyance at the actions of the suspect.
In response to the explosion, officials from the Philadelphia Police Bomb Squad Unit have been dispatched to investigate not only the scene but also the origin of the explosion itself. The presence of the bomb squad certainly underscores the seriousness of the incident. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a situation like this has happened; there was a similar ATM explosion at a sausage shop in Northern Liberties last December, although police have stated that there is currently no evidence connecting the two incidents.
Despite the chaos, the New Diamond Chinese Restaurant wasted no time in reopening its doors later that same day. However, patrons should be aware that the ATM is currently out of order, a necessary precaution after the explosion. The restaurant, known for its delicacies and warm atmosphere, will do its best to return to normal operations, but the shadow of this incident may linger for some time.
With the investigation ongoing, authorities are working diligently to identify and catch the suspect responsible for this dangerous act. As they examine the footage and gather more information, the hope is that justice will prevail swiftly. Residents and restaurant-goers alike are certainly wishing for a return to peace and safety in their neighborhood.
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