At least two people died Tuesday after a powerful explosion at the Silver Lake nursing home in Bristol, about 40 kilometers northeast of Philadelphia. The explosion occurred in the afternoon and caused a fire that led to the partial collapse of the building. Bristol Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito reported a “significant structural collapse,” with parts of the first floor plunging into the basement, initially trapping several people. Victims and Injuries: Authorities confirmed two deaths. Initially, a third fatality was reported, but local police clarified that this person was resuscitated in a hospital, so the final death toll remained at two as of Tuesday night. In addition, approximately 20 people remained hospitalized, according to emergency services. Police confirmed that all residents and staff at the center were located and that the search for any missing persons had concluded.

Suspected Gas Leak

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called the incident “a very, very tragic moment for this community” and indicated that, preliminarily, a natural gas leak is believed to have caused the explosion.

During the emergency response, a strong smell of gas was detected, and a second explosion was reported. The energy company PECO stated that its crews responded to reports of a gas odor shortly after 2:00 p.m. and shut off the gas and electricity supply to ensure safety, although they clarified that it is not yet confirmed whether natural gas was directly involved.

Investigation and Background of the Center

The exact cause of the incident remains under investigation. Shapiro indicated that the nursing home changed ownership this month and that the state Department of Health had conducted an inspection on December 10, initiating discussions with the new owners to improve safety conditions.“That work will continue to ensure that everything necessary is done to keep residents safe,” said the governor, who also praised the work of the firefighters and rescue teams for their rapid response to the emergency.