Bomb Inside Manila Envelope Specifically Targeted Pennsylvania Man

A manila envelope containing a bomb exploded inside a Philadelphia apartment when a man opened it early Tuesday morning, officials confirmed.

Authorities said that the bomb reached its intended target: a 62-year-old man on the 1800 block of Pine Street in Philadelphia. It went off at around 4 a.m.

Police said the victim thought the package, which arrived Monday night, contained medication for his asthma, which he routinely receives through the mail.

The device was described by authorities as a "victim activated device" which exploded as soon as the man opened it.

"As far as I know, there were no threats prior to this and no threats since," Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told the Associated Press.

The victim was taken to Jefferson Hospital in stable condition with burns to his hands and face. His partner, who was also inside the home, was uninjured, CBS News reports.

The explosion occurred in a neighborhood near Rittenhouse Square, on a quiet, leafy block of Pine Street.

Philly.com reports that a "Love Trumps Hate" sign is in the front window. Police said there was no evidence thus far that this was a hate crime, but that all possible motives were being looking into.

The Bomb Squad, ATF, and Philadelphia Police remained in the area after the incident investigating, police said. The street was closed in the immediate wake of the explosion.

This is a breaking story More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Patch file photo