Two people have died and several others are missing after a fire and explosion struck a nursing home near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prompting emergency responders, staff, and neighbors to help evacuate residents, Governor Josh Shapiro said.
Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito reported that five people may be missing, though officials emphasized the numbers are preliminary. The total number of injured is not yet clear, as patients were taken to multiple hospitals.
Officials believe a gas leak may have caused the explosion, though investigations are ongoing. Crews from local utility company PECO responded to reports of a gas odor at the facility shortly after 2 p.m. The company confirmed that while crews were on site, an explosion occurred. They immediately shut off natural gas and electricity to ensure safety.
“The explosion was really quite catastrophic,” Shapiro said.
First responders faced dangerous conditions as they rescued residents. Dippolito explained that a second explosion occurred about 15 to 30 seconds after firefighters left the building, highlighting the urgency and hazards during the initial rescue. The first floor partially collapsed into the basement, causing further damage.
Emergency personnel acted quickly, pulling residents from windows, staircases, and elevator shafts. Dippolito described one police officer carrying two people on his shoulders to safety. Residents were handed off to officers from multiple surrounding municipalities.
The incident occurred at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center, formerly Silver Lake Nursing Home, located about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia in Bristol Township. A nearby school, Harry S. Truman High School, is serving as a reunification center for displaced residents.
The explosion occurred at 2:19 p.m., triggering widespread emergency response. Images from the scene showed a large plume of black smoke as firefighters and emergency vehicles surrounded the building. First responders successfully rescued two people from the collapsed basement just before a second explosion, which also helped identify the source of the gas leak.
Shapiro praised the “real heroism” displayed by first responders during the incident.
The nursing home had recently changed ownership in early December. On December 10, the Pennsylvania Department of Health visited the facility and put in place a plan to upgrade standards and improve safety for residents, Shapiro said. The governor emphasized that these efforts will continue under the new ownership.
Officials are continuing to investigate the cause of the explosion and ensure the safety of residents being relocated to other facilities.
