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.

Cooper River is the perfect setting for dragon boat racing, drawing praise from athletes and international experts for its sheltered, minimal current, race course. It will host South Jersey's Premier Dragon Boat Festival on July 27th from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Athletes Village is located on Park Boulevard approximately 1 mile south of the Cooper River Boat House. Marshaling takes place at the docks, located near Park Boulevard and E. Cuthbert Boulevard, Cherry Hill.Located within newly renovated Cooper River Park, the Cooper River has hosted numerous major state and national rowing events, including the IRAs, NCAAs, and the SRAA regattas, in addition to many local high school, college and masters regattas. 

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.

The members Pennsauken Fire Department are mourning the loss today of Deputy Chief Jack Weiss, 90, of the East Pennsauken Volunteer Fire Association, No.1. He was a patriarch, ambassador, teacher, and member the Greatest Generation. Deputy Chief Weiss was immensely loved by his family, friends and decades of members of the Pennsauken Fire Department. As the finest example of what it means to be one of us, Deputy Chief Weiss maintained a constant presence among our members at meetings, drills and on the fireground throughout his 64 years of service to the Township of Pennsauken. Funeral arrangements are pending.