An explosion occurred at a nursing home outside Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon after there had been an odor of gas, officials said, and part of the building was reported to have collapsed.
Ambulances, firetrucks and equipment converged on the Silver Lake Nursing Home on Tower Road in Bristol, about 20 miles south of Philadelphia's Center City.
The blast happened about 2:15 p.m. and multiple injuries were reported, according to a Buck County spokesperson, adding that a "portion of the building is reported to have collapsed."
Utility company PECO said its crews were at the scene because of a gas odor at Silver Lake Nursing Home when an explosion occurred.
Neighbor Keshawn Lovelace said he’s fond of nursing home residents and is struggling to grasp how this blast happened.
“I’m hurt,” Lovelace told reporters. “This is my neighborhood, so I feel like they are my family.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he's in contact with local first responders and was headed to the scene.
"I’ve been briefed on the incident at Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bucks County, and my Administration is in contact with local officials and first responders on the ground," Shapiro said in a statement.
Pennsylvania Emergency Management and state police "have offered their full support and any resources needed," Shapiro added.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
