Daijiworld Media Network - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Dec 24: Two people were killed and several others remain missing after a massive fire and explosion ripped through a nursing home on the outskirts of Philadelphia, triggering frantic rescue efforts by first responders, staff and local residents, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said.
The explosion struck Bristol Health & Rehab Center, formerly known as Silver Lake Nursing Home, around 2.19 pm in Bristol Township, nearly 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito said up to five people may be missing, though officials cautioned the figure is preliminary. The number of injured remains unclear as residents were rushed to multiple hospitals.
Preliminary investigations suggest a gas leak may have caused the explosion. Local utility company PECO said its crews had responded to reports of a gas odor at the facility shortly after 2 pm. “While crews were on site, an explosion occurred at the facility,” PECO said, adding that natural gas and electricity were immediately shut off to protect first responders and residents. The company said it is still unclear whether its equipment or gas supply was involved.
Firefighters described extremely dangerous conditions during rescue operations. Dippolito said a strong gas smell lingered as responders evacuated residents. Just 15 to 30 seconds after firefighters exited the building, a second explosion occurred, followed by a major fire. The blast caused extensive structural damage, with part of the first floor collapsing into the basement.
“The explosion was really quite catastrophic,” Shapiro said, praising the swift and selfless actions of emergency personnel and civilians. Officials recounted dramatic scenes of residents being pulled out through windows, staircases and even elevator shafts. One police officer was seen carrying two residents over his shoulders to safety, Dippolito said.
Two people were rescued from the collapsed basement moments before the second explosion. Fire officials said the subsequent blast helped identify the source of the gas leak in the basement, preventing it from spreading further.
The incident prompted an all-hands response, with officers and firefighters arriving from at least three neighbouring municipalities. Nearby residents also rushed to help. “I heard a loud ka-boom and thought an airplane fell on my house,” said local resident Willie Tye, describing scenes of fire and residents fleeing the building. Visuals from the site showed thick black smoke billowing from the roof as emergency vehicles surrounded the facility.
A reunification centre has been set up at Harry S. Truman High School for displaced residents and families, according to Bristol Township School District officials.
Governor Shapiro said the nursing home had recently changed ownership earlier this month. On December 10, the Pennsylvania Department of Health visited the facility and initiated a plan to upgrade standards. State records show the home had been cited in October for multiple violations, including inadequate fire extinguishers, blocked stairway access and missing smoke barrier partitions. While a fire safety inspection in September 2024 found no violations, Medicare.gov currently rates the facility as “much below average”.
Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing as authorities continue search and recovery operations at the site.