A gas explosion at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 23, has claimed at least two lives and left several others injured or missing.
Explosion Details
On Tuesday, Dec. 23, around 2 p.m., PECO responded to a reported gas odor at the Silver Lake Nursing Home on 905 Tower Road in Bristol Township. While PECO crews were working on the building, an explosion occurred, causing the first floor to collapse into the basement and trapping residents and staff inside.
Investigation and Response
Preliminary reports suggest a gas leak may have triggered the blast. Police and firefighters from multiple counties rushed to the scene, but the explosion and subsequent fire claimed at least two lives and left several others injured or missing.
Safety Code Violations
A safety inspection by the Pennsylvania Department of Health found the nursing home was not in compliance with several Life Safety Code requirements. The facility has 174 certified beds and serves about 151 residents daily, according to Medicare.gov. A nurse at the facility told NBC10 there are residents as old as 95 years of age who live at the home.
Key Takeaways
- At least two people died, with several injured or missing.
- A gas leak likely caused the explosion, according to preliminary reports.
- The nursing home failed to meet multiple Life Safety Code standards.
Officials continue to investigate the incident as they search for missing residents and assess the cause of the explosion.
