By Harshit
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA, DEC. 24 —
Deadly Blast Sparks Chaotic Rescue at Elder Care Facility
A powerful explosion followed by a fast-moving fire tore through a nursing home on the outskirts of Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon, killing two people and injuring at least 20 others in what officials described as a near-catastrophic disaster narrowly averted by rapid rescue efforts.
The blast occurred at Bristol Health & Rehab Center, formerly known as Silver Lake Nursing Home, located about 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia. One of the victims was an employee of the facility, according to Bristol Police Chief Charles Winik.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said the explosion was “truly catastrophic” and credited first responders, staff members, and bystanders with preventing a far greater loss of life.
Gas Leak Suspected as Cause
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, but officials believe a gas leak was responsible. Crews from PECO, the local utility provider, had responded to reports of a strong gas odor inside the facility shortly after 2 p.m.
“While crews were on site, an explosion occurred at the facility,” PECO said in a statement. “Natural gas and electric service were immediately shut off to protect first responders and nearby residents.”
PECO added that it is still unclear whether its equipment or natural gas service directly caused the blast.
Second Explosion Narrowly Misses Firefighters
Bristol Township Fire Marshal William Dippolito said conditions inside the building were extremely dangerous from the moment responders arrived.
Firefighters entered the facility despite a heavy gas odor and began evacuating residents room by room. Roughly 15 to 30 seconds after crews exited the structure, a second explosion rocked the building, triggering an intense fire.
“That second blast shows just how dangerous it was,” Dippolito said. “Had crews still been inside, the outcome could have been far worse.”
The explosion caused severe structural damage, including the partial collapse of the first floor into the basement.
Dramatic Rescues as Building Collapses
Officials described scenes of extraordinary urgency as responders and civilians rushed to save elderly residents, many of whom had limited mobility.
Police officers and firefighters pulled residents from windows, stairwells, and even elevator shafts as smoke filled the building. One officer reportedly carried two residents at once, throwing them over his shoulders to get them to safety.
First responders managed to rescue two people trapped in the collapsed basement moments before the second explosion ignited the fire.
“You saw what real heroism is all about,” Governor Shapiro said. “This was a full community response.”
Residents Reunited at High School Shelter
All residents and staff have now been accounted for, police confirmed, ending earlier fears that some individuals might still be missing.
Those displaced by the fire were transported to Harry S. Truman High School, which was designated as a reunification center, according to Bristol Township School District Assistant Superintendent Christopher Polzer.
Twenty injured individuals were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not released details on the severity of their injuries.
Neighbors Describe “Ka-Boom” Explosion
Residents living nearby said the blast was so powerful it shook surrounding homes.
Willie Tye, who lives close to the facility, told the Associated Press he heard a “loud ka-boom” and initially believed an aircraft had crashed.
“When I came outside, there was fire everywhere and people running,” he said.
Images from the scene showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky as emergency vehicles flooded the area.
Facility Had Recent Ownership Change
Governor Shapiro said the nursing home changed ownership earlier this month, raising new questions about safety oversight.
On December 10, inspectors from the Pennsylvania Department of Health visited the facility and developed a plan to upgrade safety standards. Shapiro declined to specify what improvements were required but said the work would continue with the new owners.
State inspection records show the facility had been cited in October for multiple violations, including failure to maintain fire extinguishers, blocked stairway access, and inadequate smoke barrier partitions. While a September fire safety inspection resulted in no citations, the facility holds a “much below average” rating on Medicare.gov.
Investigation Continues
Authorities from local, state, and federal agencies are continuing to investigate the explosion, including whether safety lapses contributed to the severity of the incident.
CNN has reached out to Bristol Health & Rehab Center and the Pennsylvania Department of Health for further comment.
As the investigation unfolds, officials emphasized that the swift actions of responders prevented a tragedy of even greater scale.
“This could have been far worse,” Shapiro said. “Lives were saved because people ran toward danger instead of away from it.”