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Explosion at Pennsylvania senior home leaves at least 2 dead, search ongoing
By Greg Wehner
Published December 23, 2025
Search and rescue efforts remained underway Tuesday after an explosion and partial building collapse at a senior living facility in Bristol, Pennsylvania, left at least two people dead, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro, and trapped multiple others inside.
"There are investigations underway as to what caused that explosion…We believe, preliminarily, that there was a gas leak that led to that," the governor said during a news conference Tuesday evening. "The explosion was really quite catastrophic. We know that at this time, there are at least two fatalities. We know that there are some number of individuals still missing."
Officials said emergency crews responded to reports of an explosion on Tower Road in Bristol at about 2:15 p.m.
WPVI reported the explosion occurred at the Silver Lake Nursing Home, with multiple reports of people trapped inside.
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An explosion occurred at a nursing home in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Dec. 23. (KYW via NNS)
Fire and EMS crews from multiple jurisdictions were seen at the scene, with dozens of first responders assisting in rescue efforts.
PECO said crews responded to reports of a gas odor shortly after 2 p.m., at the Silver Lake Nursing Home.
While on site, PECO added, an explosion occurred at the facility. Immediately after the explosion, crews shut off the natural gas and electric service to the facility to ensure the safety of the first responders and local residents.
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An explosion occurred at a nursing home in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Dec. 23. (KYW via NNS)
Fox News Digital has reached out to PECO for additional information.
Officials said during a news conference on Tuesday evening that fire crews arrived within minutes of the explosion and discovered a major structural collapse with parts of the first floor falling into the basement where people were trapped.
Crews went into rescue mode immediately and pulled many residents out of the building through doors and windows. Some of the residents were stuck in stairwells and in an elevator shaft.
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Those who were rescued were handed off to police officers who came from every direction and every nearby municipality.
Shapiro said one police officer threw two people over his shoulders and ran them to safety.
"I think that too often, oftentimes in our communities, we don’t appreciate that type of heroism, and that is what was on display here in Bucks County today," the governor said. "Police officers literally carrying people to their safety; firefighters rushing toward a fire as others were trying to get away in order to keep this community safe, or to stop a fire from spreading."
Officials also said two people were rescued from the actual collapsed structure in the basement.
At one point, emergency crews detected a heavy odor of gas, and they quickly got everyone out that they could find. Within about 30 seconds of exiting the building, there was a second explosion and fire, which fire crews were able to keep in check and prevent from spreading.
None of the officials were able to provide official numbers when it came to the number of people injured or rescued from the building, because so many of them went to different hospitals.
But crews are continuing to operate in rescue mode rather than recovery mode at this time.
Still, local residents came out of their homes and offered to help emergency crews, which Shapiro praised.
"Look, I think this is the Pennsylvania way: neighbors helping neighbors in a moment of need," he said. "You saw that here in Bristol. You saw that here in Bucks County. This is how we do this.
"I would just ask all Pennsylvanians to join Lori and I in prayer for this community, for those who are still missing, for those who are injured, and for those families who are about to celebrate Christmas with an empty chair at their table," he added.
Earlier in the day, Shapiro said he'd been briefed on the explosion and had been in contact with state and local officials and first respondeders.
State Rep. Tina Davis said earlier in the day that she is closely monitoring the situation and urged the public to avoid the area as emergency crews respond to the reported explosion and fire at the Silver Lake Nursing Home.
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"I am deeply concerned by the reports of an explosion and fire at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township," she said. "My thoughts are with the residents, their families, and the staff during this frightening situation. I am closely monitoring developments and remain in contact with local officials and first responders as they work to ensure everyone’s safety. I urge the public to avoid the area, so emergency crews can do their jobs."
https://www.foxnews.com/us/explosion-pennsylvania-senior-home-prompts-mass-casualty-response