Rescue teams are combing through the wreckage of a Pennsylvania nursing home after a devastating explosion killed at least two people and left several residents unaccounted for. The blast partially collapsed the building, triggering a frantic emergency response.
Chaotic Rescue Amid Flames and Debris
The explosion at the 174-bed Bristol Health & Rehab Center occurred shortly after 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Authorities confirmed a utility crew had been responding to reports of a gas odour at the facility in Bristol Township, roughly 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia, just before the blast.
Governor Josh Shapiro described a scene of chaos, with emergency crews from across the region evacuating residents amid flames, smoke, a strong smell of gas, and even a second explosion. Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito recounted a desperate rescue operation where firefighters found people trapped in stairwells and elevator shafts.
Firefighters pulled residents from windows and doors, with two people rescued from a collapsed section of the building. Chief Dippolito praised the efforts of first responders, noting one police officer "literally threw two people over his shoulders" to safety. Rescuers deployed search dogs, heavy construction equipment, and sonar technology to locate potential victims in the rubble.
Probe Focuses on Suspected Gas Leak
The investigation into the cause is centring on a possible gas leak. The local utility, PECO, stated its crews were already on-site addressing odour reports when the explosion happened. The company cut off natural gas and electricity to the facility to protect responders and nearby residents.
"It is not known at this time if PECO’s equipment, or natural gas, was involved in this incident," the utility said in a statement. Investigators from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission have arrived at the scene, but officials caution that any finding of a gas leak as the cause remains preliminary.
Musuline Watson, a certified nursing assistant at the home, told WPVI-TV that staff had smelled gas over the weekend but did not initially suspect a serious problem because there was no heat in that particular room.
History of Violations and Ongoing Search
The nursing home, which recently became affiliated with Saber Healthcare Group, was previously known as Silver Lake Healthcare Center. Saber called the explosion "devastating" and stated that facility personnel had promptly reported the gas odour to PECO before the blast.
State inspection records reveal the facility was cited for multiple violations during an October inspection by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. These included failing to provide accurate floor plans, properly maintain stairways and fire extinguishers on one level, and lacking required smoke barrier partitions.
According to Medicare.gov, the home received a standard fire safety inspection in September 2024 with no citations. However, its overall Medicare rating is listed as "much below average," with particularly poor marks for health inspections.
As of Tuesday evening, Chief Dippolito said five people were still unaccounted for, but cautioned that some may have left the scene with family members. The search for victims continues as the community reels from the tragedy.
