Employees of utility company PECO responded on the afternoon of December 23 (early December 24 Hanoi time) to reports of a gas odor at the Silver Lake nursing home in Bristol Township, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Shortly after their arrival, a large explosion occurred, causing part of the building to collapse and sending thick black smoke into the air. PECO workers shut off gas and electricity supplies to the facility to ensure the safety of rescue teams and nearby residents.
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Authorities confirmed at least two fatalities and reported that five people were missing. The number of injured or trapped victims had not yet been determined. Upper Makefield Township police described the incident as a “mass-casualty explosion.”
Willie Tye, a resident living near the nursing home, said he was watching television when he heard a loud blast. Upon going outside, he saw flames engulfing the area and people fleeing the building. “I thought a plane had crashed into the house. All we can do now is pray for them,” Tye said, adding that the explosion appeared to have originated in the kitchen area.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Local authorities are arranging temporary evacuation shelters for elderly residents at a nearby school. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro urged the public to follow guidance from local officials.
Silver Lake nursing home has a capacity of 174 beds. The facility underwent a standard fire safety inspection in September 2024, during which no violations were found.