Peco utility company employees arrived at the Silver Lake nursing home in Bristol, a suburb of Philadelphia, pennsylvania, on the afternoon of 23/12 after receiving reports of a gas odor at the facility.

Upon their arrival, a large explosion occurred, causing part of the building to collapse and thick black smoke to billow. Peco employees had to shut off the gas and electricity supply to the nursing home for the safety of rescue workers and local residents.

At least two people died, 5 are missing, and the number of injured and trapped victims is undetermined. Upper Makefield township police described it as a "mass casualty incident".

The scene of the explosion at Silver Lake nursing home in Bristol, pennsylvania, US. Photo: WPVI.

The scene of the explosion at Silver Lake nursing home in Bristol, pennsylvania, US. Photo: WPVI.

Willie Tye, who lives near the nursing home, was watching TV when he heard a loud explosion. He went outside and saw "fires everywhere", with people fleeing the building. "I thought a plane had crashed into the house. All we can do is pray for them", Tye said, adding that the explosion appeared to have occurred in the kitchen area.

The cause of the explosion is still unknown. Town officials are arranging temporary evacuation sites for the elderly residents of the nursing home at a nearby school. pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro advised residents to follow local authorities' instructions.

The Silver Lake nursing home has 174 beds. The facility underwent a standard fire safety inspection in 9/2024, with no violations found.

Duc Trung (According to Guardian, ABC News, AP)