The fire that damaged dozens of SEPTA buses at the transit authority's Midvale Depot in North Philly on Thursday morning had a lingering impact on the air quality of the surrounding neighborhood, and officials said people in the area should shelter in place.

The fire broke out shortly before 6:30 a.m. and was contained within two hours. Since early in morning, a mobile air monitoring van has been at the site taking minute-by-minute samples to assess the air quality and potential health threats, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Palak Raval-Nelson said at a briefing Thursday afternoon.

Early tests had showed elevated levels of particulate matter, benzene, ethyl-benzene and carbon monoxide.

"We know the air is still not entirely safe," Raval-Nelson said. "That is why my recommen

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