In brief
In a tragic incident at Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, two explosions have resulted in two fatalities and injuries to twenty others. Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito reported that emergency crews were called to the scene following an initial explosion. Residents were evacuated shortly before the second explosion occurred. Investigations suggest a possible gas leak, with local gas company PECO involved in assessing the situation. The event has sparked concerns and emotional reactions among families and the community.
Two people have died and 20 others have been injured after two explosions and fire at a Pennsylvania nursing home caused a partial collapse of the building.
Emergency crews were called to the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol at about 14:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on Tuesday after receiving reports of an initial explosion and an odor of gas, said fire chief Kevin Dippolito.
Crews evacuated people from the building, and just 15 to 30 seconds after they left, there came a second explosion and a fire, Mr. Dippolito added.
Authorities have suggested the cause could have been a gas leak, though their investigation is ongoing.
In a statement to US media, local gas firm PECO said the explosion occurred while its crews responded to reports of a gas smell. PECO said it was not yet known whether its gas or equipment was involved.
Images and videos posted on social platforms by local media outlets show a partially collapsed building with massive flames billowing out of it.
Recalling the effort to rescue people from the building after the first blast, Mr. Dippolito told reporters that there was one police officer who literally threw two people over his shoulders and ran with them towards medical staff.
Several people were trapped in the basement of the collapsed building but were rescued, Mr. Dippolito also said.
Five people whose whereabouts were initially unknown were later accounted for, said Charles Winik, the police chief.
Debris was reportedly found scattered in the surrounding area.
A man who lived a block away described hearing a loud ka-boom as he watched television. I thought an airplane or something came and fell on my house, Willie Tye told the AP news agency, adding that he then saw fire everywhere.
Relatives of those living at the nursing home described their concern as they awaited news.
Cathleen O'Donnell told the New York Times she was sick with worry as she tried to get updates on her sister, Sandra Hart.
On discovering that Ms. Hart was alive, Ms. O'Donnell said she was completely ecstatic and over the moon, though told the paper she was still waiting to hear about her sister's condition.
State Governor Josh Shapiro praised the response from authorities around the region and said that the residents living near the nursing home were outstanding.
We had residents coming out of their houses offering to help us, he said. This is the Pennsylvania way: neighbors helping neighbors in a moment of need.