Explosive-filled van found in Philadelphia

At this time there are no suspects as to who owns or placed the van. Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) alongside personnel from a bomb squad and are investigating the scene, according to local news.

It was announced on Thursday that "U.S. Attorney William McSwain to hold press conference at 1:00 p.m. to announce criminal indictments stemming from violent unrest in Philadelphia"

The finding of the van comes after two nights after looting and civil unrest following the fatal police shooting of Walter Wallace in West Philadelphia on Monday.

Jim Kenney, the Mayor of Philadelphia, put the City on high alert, calling in the National Guard on Wednesday in an effort to protect its residents. The city has put a curfew in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to keep people off the streets and curb unrest.

"I have requested the assistance of the Pennsylvania National Guard, their role, first and foremost, will be to safeguard property and prevent looting. They will also provide assistance for our police department and other operational departments as needed," Kenney said.

The explosives in the van were described by authorities as "M-type explosives," but no other information about the bomb or its diffusion has been released.

According to ATF, the M-type classification, which ranges in scale from M-80 to M-1,000, is a designation which "exceeds the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's explosive weight limits for consumer fireworks and are therefore classified as illegal by ATF and many other law enforcement agencies."

Buildings closest to the van include Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and the Assembly Rooftop Lounge.