Explosion at Bucks County nursing home results in multiple injuries.
Emergency responders reported multiple injuries following an explosion at the Silver Lake Healthcare Center, a nursing home located in Bristol Township, Bucks County, on Tuesday afternoon. The incident prompted a swift response from local firefighters and police, who arrived at the scene to manage the ensuing fire and ensure the safety of residents.
The Silver Lake Healthcare Center is licensed with 174 certified beds, a statistic confirmed by the Medicare website. As emergency services began their operations, details regarding the extent of injuries remained unclear.
Firefighters from neighboring counties in Pennsylvania, as well as units from New Jersey, were dispatched to assist with the emergency. The Philadelphia Fire Department sent its Rescue 1 unit and Engine 29 company to bolster the efforts on-site, as stated by department spokesperson Rachel Cunningham.
In a coordinated response to the crisis, school district officials made arrangements to utilize district buses for transporting individuals from the nursing home to a reunification center established at Truman High School. Jim Morgan, president of the Bristol Township School Board, noted that preparations were underway to provide water, beds, and other necessities for those affected by the explosion. However, as of 4 p.m., no individuals had arrived at the high school for assistance.
Local Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick expressed his immediate concern through social media, indicating that he and his team were in direct communication with local officials and emergency responders as they monitored the situation. Fitzpatrick urged the public to avoid the area for safety purposes while conveying thoughts and prayers for the residents, staff, and first responders involved.
State Representative Tina Davis also addressed the unfolding situation, expressing deep concern over the explosion and highlighting her ongoing communication with local authorities and emergency services. She called upon the public to stay clear of the affected area to allow emergency crews to perform their duties efficiently.
Federal records confirm that the nursing home was equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. The facility, characterized by low-slung brick structures, occupies a two-acre campus in lower Bucks County. Recent inspection records indicate that as of 2024, the nursing home housed 162 residents, with more than 75% aged 60 or older. Additionally, the facility employed 129 full- and part-time staff members as of the same year.
This is a developing story, and updates will continue to emerge as information becomes available.
