Two dead and several missing after explosion at Pennsylvania nursing home.
An explosion at a nursing home in eastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday afternoon resulted in at least two fatalities and several injuries, while a significant portion of the building collapsed, trapping individuals inside. The incident took place at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township, located approximately 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed in a press briefing that two deaths had been officially documented. Ongoing rescue efforts were focused on locating multiple individuals who remain unaccounted for. Officials anticipate providing updates throughout the night as search and rescue teams continue their operations inside the severely damaged structure.
The explosion was reported around 2:15 p.m., shortly after PECO energy service personnel arrived at the nursing home in response to complaints about a gas odor. Preliminary information from the Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department suggests that the blast emanated from the building’s basement. Eyewitness accounts noted a substantial plume of smoke ascending from the facility, prompting an extensive emergency response that included fire trucks and ambulances from various regions.
In the aftermath of the explosion, PECO issued a statement affirming that their crews had promptly shut off natural gas and electricity to the facility, implementing these measures to safeguard both first responders and the local community. State and county emergency management officials reported that part of the building collapsed, leading to concerns about potential casualties within the rubble.
As of Tuesday evening, the precise cause of the explosion remains under investigation, along with an accurate assessment of the number of injured individuals. Reports indicate that approximately 150 residents occupy the facility, which was recently acquired by new ownership at the beginning of the month. Governor Shapiro revealed that a plan had been initiated by the Department of Health aimed at upgrading operational standards within the nursing home.
Recent inspections conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health revealed that the facility was not in compliance with several aspects of the Life Safety Code, including inadequate maintenance of stairways, smokeproof enclosures, and portable fire extinguishers. It remains unclear whether these deficiencies had been addressed prior to Tuesday’s tragic explosion.
Historically, fire incidents in nursing homes have been attributed primarily to cooking-related activities, with larger fires frequently linked to appliance malfunctions or electrical issues. The nation’s deadliest nursing home fire occurred in 1957, claiming the lives of 72 individuals in Warrenton, Missouri, due to faulty wiring.
Media News Source continues to follow this developing story as rescue efforts proceed and additional information becomes available regarding the tragedy at the Silver Lake Nursing Home.
