Pennsylvania: At least two people have been killed and several others injured following an explosion and fire at a nursing home in the US state of Pennsylvania, authorities said.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol at around 14:00 local time (19:00 GMT) after reports of a gas odour. Officials said that shortly after responders arrived, the building exploded, triggering a massive fire and causing a partial collapse of the structure.
Five people were initially reported missing, although officials said it was unclear whether they were inside the building at the time of the blast. Fire chief Kevin Dippolito said responders carried out dramatic rescues, pulling residents from windows, stairwells and elevators to get them to safety.
Dippolito stated that, “There was one police officer who literally threw two people over his shoulders and ran with them toward medical staff.” Several people were trapped in the basement following the collapse but were later rescued. Authorities said emergency teams remain focused on rescue efforts, with searches ongoing for anyone who may still be trapped.
Dippolito added that, “We’re still in rescue mode. We have not transitioned into a recovery mode.” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said the exact number of injured people had not yet been confirmed and that the cause of the explosion was still under investigation.
Images and videos shared by local media on social platforms showed flames engulfing parts of the damaged building, with sections visibly collapsed. Governor Shapiro praised the swift response from emergency services across the region and commended nearby residents for their efforts in offering help during the crisis.
Shapiro remarked that, “We had residents coming out of their houses offering to help us. This is the Pennsylvania way, neighbours helping neighbours in a moment of need.”
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