Key Takeaways
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating a deadly explosion at a nursing home in Bristol, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- The blast occurred in the kitchen and cafeteria area of the Bristol Health and Rehab Center, killing two women and injuring 20 people.
- The NTSB is testing the natural gas service line and soil surrounding the facility, and interviewing witnesses, first responders, and PECO employees.
- PECO crews were called to the facility earlier in the day after reports of a gas odor, but it is unclear if their equipment or natural gas was involved in the explosion.
Introduction to the Incident
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) provided an update on the deadly explosion that occurred at a nursing home in Bristol, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon in the kitchen and cafeteria area of the Bristol Health and Rehab Center, formerly known as Silver Lake Nursing Home. The blast resulted in the deaths of two women, including a 52-year-old employee and a nursing home resident. The employee, Muthoni Nduthu, was a Bristol resident and the mother of three children, ages 18 to 30. The name of the resident who was killed has not been released.
Investigation and Response
The NTSB is currently investigating the cause of the explosion and is testing the natural gas service line that runs from the street to the building, along with the soil surrounding the facility. Investigators are also interviewing witnesses, first responders, and PECO employees to gather more information about the incident. PECO crews were called to the facility a few hours before the explosion after reports of a gas odor. However, it is not yet known whether PECO’s equipment or natural gas was involved in the explosion. The agency is working to determine the cause of the blast and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Aftermath of the Explosion
The explosion occurred while PECO crews were on the scene, and it resulted in significant damage to the facility. Twenty people were injured in the blast and were taken to various hospitals for treatment. The 174-bed nursing home was purchased by Saber Healthcare Group just weeks before the incident. The facility is currently closed, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the facility and the response of PECO crews to the gas odor reports.
Victims and Their Families
The two women who were killed in the explosion were identified as Muthoni Nduthu, a 52-year-old employee, and a nursing home resident whose name has not been released. Nduthu was a mother of three children, ages 18 to 30, and was a Bristol resident. The incident has been devastating for the families of the victims, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion. The families of the victims will likely receive support and counseling in the aftermath of the incident.
Ongoing Investigation
The NTSB is continuing to investigate the cause of the explosion and is working to determine whether PECO’s equipment or natural gas was involved. The agency will provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, the facility remains closed, and the families of the victims are seeking answers about the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and it may take several weeks or months to determine the cause of the explosion. The NTSB will work to provide a comprehensive report on the incident, including recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The deadly explosion at the Bristol Health and Rehab Center in Bristol, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, has raised concerns about the safety of the facility and the response of PECO crews to gas odor reports. The incident resulted in the deaths of two women and injured 20 people. The NTSB is investigating the cause of the explosion and is working to determine whether PECO’s equipment or natural gas was involved. The incident has been devastating for the families of the victims, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion. The NTSB will provide updates as more information becomes available, and the facility will remain closed until the investigation is complete.