Pennsylvania | Explosion in retirement home leaves several injured

(Bristol) An explosion at a nursing home just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, caused part of the building to collapse and left several injured and people trapped inside, authorities said.

A plume of black smoke rose from Silver Lake Healthcare Center in Bristol Township, as emergency responders from across the region gathered at the scene.

Bucks County emergency officials reported there were injuries, but have not yet said if anyone was killed.

County officials said they received a report of an explosion around 2:17 p.m. and said part of the building collapsed. Ruth Miller, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, said her agency had been informed that people were trapped inside.

“I saw smoke and I saw cars and fire trucks and ambulances coming from all over town, everywhere,” said state Rep. Tina Davis, whose district includes the facility and who drove to the scene in her car.

The cause of the explosion was unclear.

Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission, said investigators from the safety division were on the scene.

Mr. Hagen-Frederiksen said first responders and emergency management officials were describing the incident as a gas explosion, but that would not be confirmed until his agency could examine the scene closely.

M^me Davis said a nearby school would potentially be used as a temporary evacuation zone. The nursing home is about 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia.

Jim Morgan, chairman of the Bristol Township school board, said district buses will transport residents from the nursing home to regroup at Truman High School. He added that authorities are working to install beds and provide water and other basic necessities to residents. As of 4 p.m., no one had yet showed up at the school, Mr. Morgan noted.

“It’s so sad, even though it’s a hopeful time of year. It’s a sad situation for everyone, for the families and for the employees who work there. I hope some good can come out of all this. We don’t know yet,” said M^me Davis.

According to Medicare.gov, this 174-bed facility underwent a standard fire safety inspection in September 2024, during which no violations were found. However, this facility’s overall Medicare rating is “much below average,” with particularly low ratings for health inspections.