Two people died, and 20 others were injured following an explosion at Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, on December 23, 2025. The blast, suspected to have been caused by a gas leak in the basement, displaced over 100 residents from the 174-bed facility on Tower Road.
The explosion occurred while crews from PECO were on scene investigating reports of a gas odor. As utility workers responded to the complaint, the blast caused the first floor of the building to collapse into the basement. A second explosion followed the initial blast, further complicating rescue efforts.
Officials identified one victim as Muthoni Nduthu, 52, a licensed practical nurse who worked at the facility. Officials confirmed that one victim was an employee and the other was a resident. The name of the second victim has not been released.
Nineteen people were treated at area hospitals, with one patient remaining in critical condition. Most of the hospitalized victims have since been released from medical care.
Bristol Township Police Chief Charles Winik Jr. described the response as the largest he has witnessed on the force, praising first responders who entered the structurally compromised building despite the overwhelming smell of gas and the risk of further collapse.
The kitchen and cafeteria area of the nursing home collapsed in the explosion, along with utility areas and offices underneath. Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito explained that crews needed heavy construction equipment to access the collapsed sections of the building and begin investigating the cause.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken over the investigation into what caused the explosion. A preliminary report is expected in 30 days.
Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito confirmed that his department received no 911 calls for gas odor or any other issues at the nursing home before the explosion. “The fire actually helped us identify where the leak was coming from in the basement, and we prevented it from spreading to other parts of the building,” Dippolito said.
The Bristol Township Fire Department was not notified before the explosion occurred, despite PECO’s presence at the scene. Fire officials indicated this was unusual, as protocol typically requires 911 notification when utility companies respond to gas leak reports, which then triggers immediate notification of the local fire department.
Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the scene and commended emergency responders for their swift action in rescuing residents, many of whom could not evacuate on their own. Pennsylvania Emergency Management and state police offered full support and resources to assist with the response and investigation.
Saber Healthcare Group acquired the facility 24 days before the explosion, taking ownership on December 1, 2025. CommuniCare Health Services was the previous operator of the facility, which had been known as Silver Lake Nursing Home.
Saber Healthcare Group released a statement acknowledging the tragedy and expressing gratitude for first responders. The company said it has been working to improve and address prior issues at the facility and pledged to continue that work following the explosion.
All residents have been relocated to other nursing homes and facilities owned by Saber Healthcare Group. The company is continuing to pay Bristol Health & Rehab employees and making them aware of job opportunities at other Saber-affiliated nursing homes in the area.
Company officials said Saber Healthcare Group is working with residents and their families to retrieve personal belongings once safe access to the property is permitted. The organization is also coordinating with federal and state agencies to replace dentures, eyeglasses and medications that residents lost in the explosion.
No decision has been made about the future of the property, according to company officials.
A GoFundMe campaign to assist Muthoni Nduthu’s family with funeral-related expenses has raised over $32,000. Friends described Nduthu as a devoted mother and wife whose loss has shocked the community.
The investigation into the exact cause of the explosion continues, with PECO stating that the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the inquiry. Investigators are focusing on transmission lines and utilities to determine where the fault occurred. The investigation could take weeks or months to complete, according to officials at the scene.
