> At a Glance
> – Four victims sue Pennsylvania nursing home and PECO after December 23 explosion
> – Suit claims facility and utility knew of “festering” gas leak but failed to evacuate
> – Death toll rises to three as another injured person dies Monday
> – Why it matters: Vulnerable residents with limited mobility were left in harm’s way, spotlighting duty-of-care failures
A new lawsuit blames Bristol Health & Rehab Center and gas provider PECO Energy for the deadly explosion that tore through the suburban Philadelphia facility two weeks ago, alleging they ignored a prolonged gas leak and put residents and staff in mortal danger.
Who’s Suing and Why
The complaint, filed Monday in Philadelphia court, lists four plaintiffs:
- Two employees of the center
- One resident
- A contractor on site during the blast
They accuse PECO, parent Exelon Corp., and facility owner Saber Healthcare Holdings of knowing about a gas odor emanating from the boiler room “for days” yet never ordering an evacuation.
> “Defendants’ decision not to immediately initiate evacuation procedures under these circumstances was reckless and outrageous given the population within the building, with many of the residents having limited mobility and unable to self-evacuate in the case of an emergency.”
Corporate Responses
Saber Healthcare government-affairs lead Zach Shamberg:
> “The company is cooperating with the ongoing investigation and does not comment on litigation.”
PECO communications director Greg Smore cited a federal gag order:
> “As a party to an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, the company was not permitted to comment.”
Casualties and Timeline
| Victim | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Muthoni Nduthu, 52 | Certified nursing assistant | Died in initial blast |
| Unnamed resident | Facility resident | Died in initial blast |
| Patricia Mero, 66 | Injured resident | Died Monday from injuries |
Roughly 20 others were injured and about 100 residents relocated to nearby homes after the explosion that shook houses for blocks around the Bristol campus.
Key Takeaways
- Lawsuit alleges leak was known “for days” but no evacuation ordered
- Federal probe under National Transportation Safety Board continues
- Plaintiffs seek damages for negligence, risking vulnerable residents
- Utility crew was on scene investigating odor when blast occurred
As investigators work to pinpoint the ignition source, the suit spotlights whether early action could have prevented the mounting death toll.
