BRISTOL, Pa. — Rescue operations are ongoing at a nursing home in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, following a devastating explosion that killed at least two individuals on Tuesday. Authorities confirmed multiple residents are still unaccounted for as search crews equipped with drones and heavy machinery sifted through the wreckage.
The explosion occurred just after a utility crew investigated reports of a gas odor at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center, located about 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia. This explosion has raised serious safety concerns and prompted an investigation into whether a gas leak was to blame.
Emergency responders from various agencies swiftly evacuated patients as flames engulfed parts of the building. Eyewitness accounts detail a chaotic scene where firefighters rescued individuals trapped inside the facility, including two who were removed from a collapsed section.
Residents described hearing a loud boom, with one man stating he initially thought an airplane had crashed. On scene, flames and smoke were visible, and many witnesses reported seeing individuals fleeing the building.
The local gas utility, PECO, mentioned they were responding to the gas odor when the explosion took place, and it remains unclear whether any of their equipment contributed to the incident. State investigators are currently at the site to assess the situation.
The nursing home, historically known for safety violations in inspections, recently changed ownership to Saber Healthcare Group. Safety inspections showed failures in maintaining proper safety equipment and protocols. Saber is cooperating with investigations, calling the incident 'devastating.'
The aftermath of this explosion highlights serious questions regarding facility safety and emergency readiness as families seek clarity on the status of their loved ones.
