Journalist with a love for new media and old-fashioned reporting
I researched new projects planned as part of Philadelphia’s developing trail network to create this gallery, which included information about 17 of the trails’ locations, lengths and status. Click the photo to see the full gallery on Philly.com.
Read more: enterprise, multimedia and social media, Philly.com
I posted updates, photos and videos from the scene of a building collapse that killed six people in Philadelphia, and sent in information that my newsroom colleagues incorporated into articles. I reported from the collapse scene for several hours the day of the disaster, as well as much of the day after, as crews continued clearing rubble from and investigating at the site.
At 22nd and Market bldg collapse. Several ambulances have left scene, with sirens blaring.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
The collapse scene from 22nd Street. pic.twitter.com/IoGrJIjSNZ
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
One witness describes sound of building collapse as "like a freight train." Says he heard people moaning inside.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
RT @phillynews: Update: 2 buildings collapsed in Center City: a thrift store and a 4-story with apartments above http://t.co/7j6FX4cGsM
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Another ambulance leaves the scene of the Center City building collapse: pic.twitter.com/7Hv8i3qTTW
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
A 23 y/o man who pulled others from bldg says "dust was so thick you couldn't see in front of your face."
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
RT @PhillyPolice: We're waiting for words from the Mayor on specifics about the building collapse in Center City. He is on the scene
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Another photo from building collapse scene. At 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/HtaJlrajw4
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
City officials say 12 people have been transported to area hospitals after bldg collapse. Unsure whether there are others.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Officials stress rescue op is still active. Nutter: "this is delicate. This is dangerous work"
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
City officials say construction co. had demolition permits, no existing violations at building.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Everyone transported from bldg collapse is stable, had minor injuries. Man who rescued some told me mostly cuts/bruises/dust inhalation
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Roads still blocked off after bldg collapse: 18th to the Schuylkill between BF Parkway and Walnut
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Worker surveys damage from above at scene of Center city building collapse: pic.twitter.com/TiK1JjnyaN
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Ambulances have pulled up next to debris from building collapse.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Looks like rescue crews prepping ambulance for another victim in front of Salvation Army. Other ambulances are largely blocking view, though
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Another ambulance leaves bldg collapse scene, heading west with sirens on. Other ambulances were blocking … http://t.co/KxTUp6u3Lf
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
A priest just left the scene where the ambulance departed. Declined to comment.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
RT @FarFarrAway: Six from rubble were at HUP one already discharged.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Officials say search for survivors will continue. Nutter: "we did not know and we do not know how many people were in the thrift store"
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Fire crews are preparing for a 12-24 hour operation. Fresh staffers will "continue to dig," Commissioner Ayers says
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
If anyone else is in rubble, Nutter says, "our folks will find them."
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Alright folks, heading away from bldg collapse, prob until early tmrw am. For updates, follow @phillydotcom @phillynews @PhillyInquirer
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Not taking 5 min. to procure sunscreen at some point today was not one of my better on-the-job decisions.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
Since I haven't tweeted the link in a while…what we know so far about the building collapse in Center City: http://t.co/uU0Cm5FFqa
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013
The scene at 22nd and Market this morning: pic.twitter.com/chOhEppuiW
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Another 22nd and Market photo: pic.twitter.com/Y6Kru2pBNP
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Fire crews moving gear around at 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/va2l1AqKjV
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
From 22nd Street, south of Market: pic.twitter.com/j1W4NKiOwa
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Closer shot of the debris still at 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/b2TYHQTGvl
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Firefighters, police, debris still at 22nd and Market. No line up of ambulances, though.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Update from earlier tweet: Still an ambulance here. (Was blocked by fire truck earlier). But not the fleet of them here yesterday.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Police say Market Street still closed btwn 20th and 23rd, and on Arch at 22nd. Best to swing wide away from scene on your morning commute.
— Carolyn Davis (@carolyntweets) June 6, 2013
Pretty quiet at 22nd and Market right now. Fire crews resting, sitting on truck. Can see racks of shirts in thrift store rubble.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
A truck just pulled up to cart away a dumpster of debris. pic.twitter.com/Gfet3BWKat
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Routes 7, 31, 38, 44, 124, 125: Area perimeter set up Market St, 21st to 23rd St. Check System Status for detours: http://t.co/acFjCC2gvK
— SEPTA_SOCIAL (@SEPTA_SOCIAL) June 6, 2013
Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, 36: Trolleys are bypassing 22nd St Station until further notice in both directions due to police/fire dept activity.
— SEPTA_SOCIAL (@SEPTA_SOCIAL) June 6, 2013
Workers clearing debris at 22nd and Market. Truck just took away a dumpster of rubble. pic.twitter.com/w2TVvn0Wnc
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Cops at 22nd and Market scream at skateboarder who totally ignores scene boundaries, tries to skate through intersection
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Some shots from 22nd and Market collapse site, shortly after 7:30 am https://t.co/sEuTH5fU2G
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
rubble clearing has just begun at #buildingcollapse police and fire still standing by…no indications that this is still a rescue effort
— Kevin McCorry (@byKevinMcCorry) June 6, 2013
Starting to clear the rubble at 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/lMYIpAczdQ
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Forklift pushing pile of debris at 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/B3inSKQiAO
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Short rubble clearing video from 22nd and Market: https://t.co/soOo1vz03b
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
More from the scene at 22nd and Market this am: https://t.co/Uceulk6bhD
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Fire crews still not actively digging in rubble, just used forklift to clear chunks of debris at 22nd and market.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Officials have also been examining the back of the bldg, near Salvation Army donation center, here: pic.twitter.com/A3uMkFiVW6
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Clean up continuing at site of Philly building collapse: https://t.co/0HZcgQwWMY
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Dumpsters being loaded with rubble at site of Philly building collapse: pic.twitter.com/yVKaBZywIG
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Someone from ATF is at the Philly bldg collapse scene, with a dog: pic.twitter.com/7uCwgswp32
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Fire crews at bldg collapse site. Standing by right now, observing clearing of debris: pic.twitter.com/XWlzSZH0h7
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Mayor Nuter will address the media at 10am for the latest on the #buildingcollapse
— Eric Gripp (@PPDEricGripp) June 6, 2013
The current scene at 22nd and Market. Still clearing the rubble. https://t.co/uX0jCZEKrJ
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
An update from HUP on the six patients sent there after last night's building collapse: Four are still there, three stable and one critical.
— Aubrey Whelan (@aubreyjwhelan) June 6, 2013
Still awaiting start of bldg collapse press conf w/ Nutter et al. Crews have now entered the debris area for first time this a.m.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Crews in the rubble. (Photo From across street and w/ equipment in the way) pic.twitter.com/tOLauBZGWX
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Crews using cherry-picker to survey upper floors of collapsed building: pic.twitter.com/4UTVgcZ3wv
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Three patients were sent to Hahnemann Univ. Hospital yesterday after the collapse. Two were treated/released; one remains in fair condition.
— Aubrey Whelan (@aubreyjwhelan) June 6, 2013
Crews beginning to knock down thrift store.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
About to tweet a bunch of updates from bldg collapse press conf …
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Nutter: 75 percent of scene has been searched, 25 percent left, including areas inside thrift store.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Names of Philly building collapse victims are expected to be released later today.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Lots of questions about demo rules. Officials say only 1 inspection required after permit issued, no special qualifications to get permit
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
City got complaint about neighboring bldg in early May. Went to site,found no violations. Demo at collapsed bldg hadn't started yet
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
RT @DanaDiFilippo: Mayor: Bldgs get demolished all the time in Philly w/ active Bldgs next to them. "Something obviously went wrong here."
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
L&I says no officials checked building betw May 14 and day of collapse.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
What's left of the thrift store. Crews knocking walls down to continue search. pic.twitter.com/FPdPGyprvL
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Here's what the Philly building collapse scene looks like now: https://t.co/H7vfzl5fSo
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Here's the collapse scene from the other side of Market: pic.twitter.com/bGP8VNspka
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Red Cross bringing sandwiches for crews at Philly building collapse: pic.twitter.com/b6nDds8AfV
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Here's what's happening on 22nd st, south of Market, right now: https://t.co/f5xx6ZTOZr
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Listen to Philadelphia Fire Department's dispatch right after building collapse on Market Street @phillydotcom http://t.co/VsTTWjInzR
— Lexie Norcross (@LexieNorcross) June 6, 2013
Mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald says city suspended demo work Griffin T. Campbell (contractor in bldg collapse) has elsewhere in Philly.
— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013
Atty Bob Mongeluzzi, who reps victims in other collapses, is demanding moratorium on all city demolition projects next to occupied bldgs.
— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013
Crime scene unit at Philly building collapse. No word on why, though: pic.twitter.com/ljPF3PWwn2
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
RT @Ben_Finley: The Philadelphia DA is on the scene of the collapse. No comment yet as to why.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Forklift starting to work on east side of collapsed thrift store: pic.twitter.com/Ve8zMOo0Sg
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Firefighters watching forklift remove debris at Philly bldg collapse site: pic.twitter.com/JUKgLTiYdA
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Woman with flowers at site of bldg collapse. Not permitted close to acrne. Hands to firefighter. pic.twitter.com/Jg2SJrsFYd
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Updated Road Closures Due to Building Collapse Yesterday in Center City. 21st Street to 23rd Street and Chestnut to Arch.
— Philadelphia OEM (@PhilaOEM) June 6, 2013
What we know so far: Mayor pledges full investigation after 6 die in Philadelphia building collapse http://t.co/x9LOGhjmzH
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
You guys are going to be so sick of forklift vines by the time this scene is cleared. https://t.co/4rL9hr48pH
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Heather Sizemore of WMount Airy brings flowers to collapse site in memory of her friend Kim Flanigan, 36. pic.twitter.com/SFlo19MJNo
— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013
Friend: Kim Flanigan worked for Salvation Army in its Roxborough store. Yesterday was her first day on Market Street. She died in collapse.
— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013
Firefighters are still crowded around one spot, where forklift is removing rubble, at site of building collapse. Unclear why.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Investigators from crime scene unit, though, aren't amid rubble. They're standing on 22nd St, where a dumpster was earlier.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Going to charge my phone for a bit. I'll have more on the building collapse later.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Final debris-clearing shot before my short break: pic.twitter.com/TqzTNo3sSY
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Salvation Army donation center wall gets knocked down: https://t.co/L3npbQMTnr
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
RT @Ben_Finley: A fireman just placed flowers at the front door – which is still standing – of the collapsed building on Market Street.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
With a new layer of sunscreen and a partially charged phone, I'm heading back to the collapse site.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Scene now at 22nd and Market. Thrift store gone: pic.twitter.com/ZlbBVm74ok
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Here is a memorial photo display set up for one of the Philly building collapse victims: pic.twitter.com/ZTfyYdKYX7
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Six seconds of the clean up scene at the former thrift store: https://t.co/AeZCauYmTD
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Another look at the now-torn-down thrift store: pic.twitter.com/Jy1favuR8C
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Here's a few angles of what clean up looks like now at 22nd and Market: https://t.co/3pi8gbtxdx
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Occasionally windy day = constantly taking my cardigan on and off at this building collapse scene.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Debris, forklift, truck, dumpster. Clean up continues: pic.twitter.com/ZgpSWhHM9U
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Here's what the demolished thrift store looks like from the back: pic.twitter.com/UfCdBFnMTl
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
You can still see clothes in the piles of debris from the thrift store.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Knocking down debris from upper floors: pic.twitter.com/1t3KM6ahsg
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
One last look at the scene before I head off. Lots of clean up to go: https://t.co/RzftMKTMEq
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
The latest on the Philly building collapse, with @frankkummer and @BrianXMcCrone: http://t.co/X44F2fPqVi
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Thrift store photos: 5am: http://t.co/DrJNtcgZhA 11am: http://t.co/k0whbddjYp 2:15pm: http://t.co/Sc5Gl2osYo 2:30 pm: http://t.co/XhA1G3NLeI
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
Philly collapse: Fire PIO says they've searched most of the scene and have no unaccounted-for victims. But search ongoingjust in case.
— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013
RT @phillydotcom: Updated story: 6 killed in thrift shop collapse identified http://t.co/cXC8bOFfz9
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013
RT @NotesFromHeL: L&I details "proactive" construction and demo site inspections. http://t.co/uqOlReVMBg
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 7, 2013
Here's what we know so far about the 6 people killed in the building collapse: http://t.co/P2mq2fwfKN
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 7, 2013
Market street is reopened in area of the building collapse (2200 Market Street) 2100 Ludlow and the Unit block of S. 22nd will remain closed
— Jillian Russell (@PPDJillRussell) June 7, 2013
The latest on road closures/SEPTA detours near building collapse site: http://t.co/EieoddkZZo Market St open, most bus detours have ended.
— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 7, 2013
Read more: breaking news, multimedia and social media, Philly.com