An explosion followed reports of a gas odor at a Pennsylvania nursing home, killing two people and sending 20 others to hospitals just two days before Christmas, authorities said.
The blast at Silver Lake Nursing Home tore through the facility around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, causing a partial collapse that trapped residents under debris and ignited a fire. A second explosion erupted amid the emergency response, complicating rescue efforts.
“There was a major structural collapse with parts of the first floor into the basement with persons trapped,” said Bristol Township Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito, who also serves as the township’s emergency management director, ABC News reported.
Energy company PECO said its crews responded to the facility following reports of a gas odor, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
“A few hours later, an explosion occurred at the facility,” the utility said in a statement, adding that it shut off natural gas and electric service to safeguard responders and nearby residents. “It is not known at this time if PECO’s equipment, or natural gas, was involved in this incident.”
Dippolito said firefighters quickly shifted to rescue operations, pulling survivors from the rubble. Officials said a heavy odor of natural gas was detected in the basement.
Officials initially announced three deaths but later corrected the count.
“We have just been informed that the patient that was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center was resuscitated,” said Bristol Township Police Chief CJ Winik, per Fox 4.
All residents and staff were accounted for after an exhaustive search, authorities said. The identities of the two victims who died have not been released, and it remains unclear how many people were inside at the time.
The hospitalized victims were treated at area facilities, including Lower Bucks Hospital. The American Red Cross sent disaster workers to help families locate loved ones, urging anyone in need to visit the hospital or call 215-785-9200.
The explosion occurred two days before Christmas. One neighbor, Gertrude Montgomery, whose yard overlooked the site, described the scene as devastating.
“I’m sad, heartbroken,” Montgomery said, CBS News reported. “These people here, you’re in your bed, you’re thinking you’re fine, you’re in a nursing home, you’re safe, and this happens.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called it “a very, very tragic moment for this community” during a briefing Tuesday evening.
“I want to say that in the immediate moments after the explosion, you saw what real heroism is all about — firefighters rushed to this scene in order to contain the explosion, in order to put out the fire, and, most importantly, in order to rescue people,” Shapiro said, per ABC News. “This is the Pennsylvania way, neighbors helping neighbors in a moment of need.”
State Rep. Tina Davis expressed alarm in a statement: “I am deeply concerned by the reports of an explosion and fire at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township,” Fox 4 reported.
She advised residents to steer clear of the area.
Federal investigators are assisting with the investigation. The nursing home, located about 25 miles northeast of Philadelphia, had switched owners earlier this month and passed a state health inspection on December 10. Shapiro said officials were collaborating with the new owners on upgrades to enhance safety and standards.
“That work will obviously continue with the new owners to ensure that they do what is necessary to keep residents safe at this facility,” he said, according to ABC News.
Aerial views on Wednesday revealed extensive damage, including a crumbled roof, shattered windows, and scorched rubble. One witness told CBS News the initial blast sounded “like a bomb.”
