An explosion and fire at a nursing home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, killed two people and injured 20 others on Dec. 23, 2025, in what authorities believe was caused by a gas leak in the facility’s basement.
The incident occurred at Silver Lake Nursing Home, also known as Bristol Health & Rehab Center, located in Bristol Township, Bucks County, approximately 25 miles northeast of Philadelphia. The explosion took place around 2:20 p.m. on Tower Road.
Two explosions rocked the facility during the incident. Parts of the first floor collapsed into the basement, trapping residents and staff inside the building. Both victims were female, with one identified as an employee and the other as a resident of the facility.
The Bucks County Coroner’s Office identified Muthoni Nduthu, 52, as the employee who died in the explosion. Nduthu had 3 sons and worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the facility, though she was a licensed practical nurse in Pennsylvania. An autopsy was completed, with results pending the ongoing investigation.
Of the 20 people injured in the blast, 19 remained hospitalized as of December 24, 2025, including 1 in critical condition. The nursing home housed 120 residents at the time of the incident, and authorities confirmed that all employees and residents have been accounted for. The facility has over 170 beds.
Bristol Township Police Chief CJ Winik praised the response efforts during a news conference. “This could’ve been a much more serious catastrophe,” he said. “The actions of everybody involved help preserve life.”
Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito described the challenging conditions first responders encountered. Emergency personnel rushed into the building despite the strong smell of gas, evacuating residents who included those unable to walk or talk. Firefighters carried residents over their shoulders and pulled frightened individuals from windows, stairwells and elevator shafts as flames engulfed portions of the structure.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed the incident, stating that preliminary information suggested a gas leak was responsible for the explosion. The source of the leak was believed to be in the facility’s basement. PECO crews had been responding to gas odor reports at the nursing home before the explosion occurred.
PECO shut off gas and electric service to the facility to ensure the safety of first responders and local residents. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, with local, state and federal authorities working together to determine what triggered the explosions.
Clinton Ndegwa, one of Nduthu’s sons, declined to comment when contacted.
The second victim, a resident of the nursing home, has not been publicly identified.
The explosion created a scene of chaos and destruction at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center. Heavy machinery was brought to the site to help excavate areas where walls and roofs had collapsed. Investigators worked through the extensive damage, taking photographs and surveying the scope of the destruction.
Multiple government agencies responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Law enforcement treated the incident as requiring criminal investigation procedures until authorities could definitively rule out criminal activity and establish proper jurisdiction.
Emergency response teams received support from law enforcement agencies throughout Bucks County. Philadelphia also dispatched teams to assist with the rescue effort. The proximity of a hospital to the nursing home proved beneficial, with hospital staff crossing over to help temporarily house and care for displaced residents at the scene.
The actions of first responders drew widespread praise from officials and community members.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the deadly explosion that struck the Bristol Township facility.