One of the two people killed in a deadly gas explosion at a Bucks County nursing home has been identified, as authorities confirmed Wednesday that all residents and employees have been accounted for and detailed the extensive damage left behind by the blast.
Bristol Township Police said Muthoni Nduthu, 52, of Bristol, was among those killed in the explosion at Bristol Health & Rehab Center, formerly known as Silver Lake Nursing Home. Nduthu was a certified nursing assistant at the facility and the mother of three boys, according to officials. Public records indicate she previously lived in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and Roselle, New Jersey.
The second victim was a resident of the nursing home. That individual’s name has not yet been released.
The explosion occurred just before 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the 174-bed facility located at 905 Tower Road in Bristol Township. Fire officials said the blast originated in the basement, triggering a fire and causing a partial collapse that trapped residents and staff inside the building.
“When crews arrived, we had significant structural damage,” Bristol Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito said during a press conference. Portions of the first floor had collapsed into the basement, creating dangerous and unstable conditions.
Firefighters immediately began rescue operations, pulling residents from windows, stairwells, and other confined spaces.
“They pulled many residents out of the building via windows, doors, stuck in stairwells, stuck in elevator shafts,” Dippolito said.
Rescued residents were handed off to police officers who rushed in from surrounding municipalities. Dippolito highlighted one officer’s actions, saying the officer carried multiple people to safety.
Two individuals were rescued from the collapsed basement area, where water accumulation created additional hazards for responders.
At one point during the operation, firefighters detected a strong gas odor and were ordered to evacuate the building.
“Within 15 to 30 seconds, there was another explosion and fire,” Dippolito said.
The incident prompted a large, multi-county emergency response involving crews from Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, as well as Burlington County, New Jersey. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency was notified, and a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident was declared as the fire escalated to multiple alarms.
Governor Josh Shapiro, who was briefed at the scene Tuesday night, described the damage as “quite catastrophic.”
Police said 20 people were injured and taken to area hospitals. As of Wednesday morning, 19 remained hospitalized, including one person in critical condition.
Bristol Township Police Chief CJ Winik confirmed that all residents and employees have been accounted for and that search operations have concluded.
“Some couldn’t walk. They were in wheelchairs. Some people couldn’t talk,” Winik said, referring to those rescued. “This could have been a much more serious catastrophe.”
PECO confirmed it had been responding to a report of a gas odor at the facility shortly before the explosion. Officials later said a compromised gas line fueled the fire, though the precise cause of the blast remains under investigation.
“Until we excavate the area and remove the walls and roofs that collapsed, we won’t have any idea what may have occurred in there,” Dippolito said.
The nursing home is newly affiliated with Saber Healthcare Group, which released a statement calling the explosion “devastating.” The company said staff reported the gas odor to PECO prior to the blast and that it is cooperating fully with investigators while supporting residents, employees, and families.
State inspection records show the facility was cited for several deficiencies during its most recent Pennsylvania Department of Health inspection in October, including issues related to stairway maintenance, fire extinguishers, smoke barriers, and floor plan documentation. However, Medicare.gov indicates the facility passed a standard fire safety inspection in September 2024 without citations. Its overall Medicare rating is listed as “much below average,” with particularly low scores for health inspections.
Authorities said additional updates will be released as the investigation continues.