Key Takeaways:
- A thunderous explosion occurred at a nursing home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, killing at least two people and injuring several others.
- The explosion is believed to have been caused by a gas leak, which was reported to the utility company shortly before the blast.
- Emergency responders braved flames and a heavy odor of gas to evacuate residents and employees, with some people still unaccounted for.
- The nursing home had a history of safety issues, including a recent inspection report that found several state regulations were not being followed.
- The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, with officials from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and other agencies involved.
Introduction to the Tragedy
The explosion at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bristol, Pennsylvania, was a devastating event that occurred on a Tuesday, resulting in the loss of life and injury to several people. The blast was so powerful that it collapsed part of the building, sent fire shooting out, and left people trapped inside. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro held a news conference several hours after the explosion, confirming that at least two people had been killed and acknowledging that the situation was still unfolding.
Response to the Explosion
The response to the explosion was swift and heroic, with emergency responders, fire trucks, and ambulances from across the region rushing to the scene. The town’s fire chief, Kevin Dippolito, described the chaotic rescue efforts, where firefighters found people stuck in stairwells and elevator shafts, and pulled residents out of the fiery building through windows and doors. The rescue efforts were nothing short of extraordinary, with some responders literally throwing people over their shoulders to get them to safety.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses, such as Willie Tye, who lives about a block away from the nursing home, described the explosion as a "loud kaboom" that sounded like an airplane crashing into his house. Tye saw fire everywhere and people escaping the building, with some not making it out. The explosion appeared to have occurred in the kitchen area of the nursing home. Another eyewitness, Musuline Watson, a certified nursing assistant at the facility, reported that she and others had smelled gas over the weekend but didn’t think much of it since there was no heat in the room.
Investigation into the Cause
The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, with officials from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and other agencies involved. While preliminary findings suggest that a gas leak may have caused the explosion, this has not been confirmed. The local gas utility, PECO, reported that its crews had responded to reports of a gas odor at the nursing home shortly before the explosion and had shut off natural gas and electric service to the facility to ensure the safety of first responders and local residents.
History of Safety Issues
The nursing home, which is owned by Saber Healthcare Group, had a history of safety issues. A recent inspection report found that the facility was not in compliance with several state regulations, including failing to provide accurate floor plans, properly maintain stairways, and store oxygen cylinders. The facility’s Medicare rating is listed as "much below average," with poor ratings for health inspections in particular. The latest state inspection report, conducted in October, found several deficiencies, including the failure to maintain portable fire extinguishers and provide required smoke barrier partitions.
Aftermath and Support
The explosion has left the community in shock, with many people affected by the tragedy. Governor Shapiro asked his fellow Pennsylvanians to take a moment to pray for the community, those who are still missing, and the families who will be celebrating Christmas with an empty chair at their table. The town’s fire chief, Kevin Dippolito, praised the bravery and selflessness of the emergency responders, who risked their lives to save others. As the investigation into the cause of the explosion continues, the community will come together to support those affected and to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
