A powerful explosion ripped through a nursing home just outside Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon, causing a portion of the building to collapse and leaving an unknown number of people injured and potentially trapped inside, authorities confirmed.
Timeline of the Disaster and Initial Response
The blast occurred at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center, recently known as Silver Lake Healthcare Center, in Bristol Township at approximately 2:17 p.m. EST. The Bucks County emergency dispatch center received the first reports of an explosion with injuries shortly after 2 p.m. Emergency crews, including fire trucks and ambulances from across the region, rushed to the scene alongside earthmoving equipment as a plume of black smoke billowed from the facility.
Authorities confirmed there were injuries but could not immediately provide details on possible fatalities. Ruth Miller, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), stated that her agency had been informed people were trapped inside the damaged structure.
Chaotic Scene and Heroic Evacuations
According to Police Lt. Sean Cosgrove of the Bristol Township Police Department, residents were evacuated by a combined effort of emergency responders, bystanders, and staff. The precise number of patients and staff inside at the time remains unclear, but the facility is certified for up to 174 beds. A nurse employed at the home told WCAU-TV that more than 50 patients, aged between 50 and 95, are typically present at any given time.
Willie Tye, a resident living a block away, described hearing a "loud kaboom" while watching TV. "I thought an airplane or something came and fell on my house," he said. Upon investigating, he saw "fire everywhere" and people escaping. He somberly added that some individuals did not make it out, urging others to "keep praying for them."
A Reuters photographer on-site reported that a front-facing side of the building appeared blasted outward from the inside, with most windows shattered, though the majority of the structure remained standing.
Focus on Possible Gas Leak and Ongoing Investigation
The cause of the explosion is under active investigation. Notably, a utility crew from PECO was on-site at the time, responding to reports of a gas odor. "While crews were on site, an explosion occurred at the facility," PECO stated, confirming that its personnel shut off natural gas and electric service to ensure safety.
Adding to the timeline, Musuline Watson, a certified nursing assistant at the facility, told WPVI-TV that she and others had smelled gas over the weekend but did not report it as "there was no heat in the room, so we didn't take it to be anything."
Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, said safety division investigators were en route. While first responders described it as a gas explosion, he emphasized that a definitive cause would only be confirmed after a close examination.
The nursing home's owner, Saber Healthcare Group, said it was cooperating with local authorities. In the aftermath, community support mobilized swiftly. Jim Morgan, president of the Bristol Township School Board, announced that district buses would transport evacuated residents to a reunification center at Truman High School, where officials were arranging beds, water, and other necessities.
According to Medicare.gov, the facility underwent a standard fire safety inspection in September 2024 with no citations. However, its overall Medicare rating is listed as "much below average," primarily due to poor health inspection scores. The search and rescue operation continues as the community awaits further details on the extent of the casualties.
