ALLENTOWN, Pa. ��Authorities confirmed Sunday afternoon that three males died in a car explosion the night before in what they called an "isolated incident," and also said they believe "the perpetrator" was killed in the blast.
The car exploded about 9:30 p.m. Saturday near Center City Allentown.
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said investigators believe one of the three dead males was a suspect in a "criminal matter" related to the bomb.
"We know there's been a criminal incident," Martin said. "We have a high degree of confidence that the perpetrator was killed in the incident."
Coroner Scott Grim confirmed three dead and said the investigation will be time-consuming, echoing what other law enforcement officials said.
"We'll be here as long as it takes," said Steve McQueen, FBI special agent in charge of the investigation.
The explosion rocked the Center City and brought dozens of law enforcement agencies to Allentown to investigate, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Allentown police, Lehigh County's district attorney, coroner and homicide task forces and fire police from throughout the county and state police.
Members of the ATF and FBI wearing protective suits combed the area to gather evidence, which was processed inside several portable tents erected near the scene of the explosion.
The FBI leads a complicated investigation that witnesses said left body parts strewn on the streets. On Sunday afternoon, the FBI said on Twitter that agents remained on scene but "there is not believed to be any remaining threat to public safety."
