At least two people were killed and five others injured after an explosion at a nursing home in Pennsylvania. Five people remained unaccounted for as emergency crews rushed to rescue victims of the fire, cautioning that the numbers were still “in flux.”
The blast occurred on Tuesday around 2 pm (local time) at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township, around 30 minutes northeast of Philadelphia. Authorities and first responders described the incident as a possible gas explosion.
“We understand that there are people trapped inside,” said Ruth Miller, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, according to The Associated Press.
Emergency crews responded immediately to the facility, working to evacuate residents and search for those who may have gone missing. Video footage on social media showed police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks with flashing lights at the scene, while flames and black smoke poured from the building. Windows were blown out, and part of the roof collapsed.
The Upper Makefield Township police department called the explosion a “mass casualty incident” and urged residents to avoid the area due to the large emergency response, reports the Independent.
Lieutenant Sean Cosgrove of Bristol Township police told Levittown Now that residents were evacuated by emergency crews, staff, and even bystanders. He added, “I do not know if everyone is accounted for or not yet. I’m not aware of any critical injuries but there definitely were injuries.”
The nursing home’s last fire safety inspection took place in September 2024. According to Medicare.gov, the facility has a one-star rating with health inspections described as “much below average.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed on X that he has been briefed on the incident. “My Administration is in contact with local officials and first responders on the ground,” he said.
The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, and authorities have not yet confirmed the number of injuries or fatalities.
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