At least 2 dead in Pennsylvania nursing home explosion
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 11:07 am
Nursing Home Explosion in Pennsylvania Claims Lives, Sparks Investigation
BRISTOL, PA - A devastating explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home has resulted in at least two fatalities, with rescue efforts ongoing. The incident, which occurred Tuesday afternoon, caused a partial building collapse and ignited a fire, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Authorities, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, confirmed the deaths and reported that emergency responders faced significant challenges, including flames, a strong gas odor, and a second explosion during the rescue operation. Firefighters worked to evacuate residents and staff, rescuing individuals from stairwells, elevator shafts, and the collapsed section of the building.
The explosion happened at Bristol Health & Rehab Center. Preliminary investigations suggest a gas leak may have been the cause, as a utility crew was on-site investigating a reported gas odor at the time of the explosion. The local gas utility, PECO, has shut off gas and electric service to the facility. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is investigating the incident.
Five individuals remain unaccounted for, although some may have left the scene with family members. The facility, a 174-bed nursing home, recently affiliated with Saber Healthcare Group, had previously been known as Silver Lake Healthcare Center. Saber Healthcare Group stated that facility personnel had reported a gas smell to PECO before the explosion and is cooperating with authorities.
A recent state inspection in October found the facility out of compliance with several state regulations, including issues with floor plans, stairways, and fire safety measures. The facility's overall rating on Medicare.gov is listed as "much below average," with poor ratings for health inspections.
BNN's Perspective: This tragedy underscores the critical importance of maintaining safety standards in healthcare facilities. While the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation, the reported issues with the facility's compliance with safety regulations raise serious concerns. It is crucial that authorities conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and ensure accountability, while also reviewing and strengthening safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Keywords: nursing home explosion, Pennsylvania, gas leak, fatalities, rescue, fire, investigation, Bristol Health & Rehab Center, PECO, safety regulations, Saber Healthcare Group, Medicare.