At least two people have died and five remain unaccounted for after a series of explosions and a fire ripped through the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident, believed to have been triggered by a gas leak, prompted a massive rescue operation as firefighters battled the blaze and searched for victims within the partially collapsed building. Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito confirmed the fatalities and the ongoing search for the missing.

The first reports of an explosion reached the Bucks County emergency dispatch centre shortly after 2:00 p.m. EST (1900 GMT). Firefighters arriving on the scene were met with “a major structural collapse,” with a section of the first floor giving way into the basement, Dippolito stated.

Rescue teams worked swiftly to extricate numerous individuals from the debris, blocked stairwells, and even stuck elevators. Firefighters initially ventured into the collapsed basement, successfully rescuing at least two people before being forced to retreat due to the persistent smell of natural gas.

“We got everyone out that we could, that we could find, that we could see, and we exited the building,” Dippolito explained. “Within approximately 15 to 30 seconds of us exiting, knowing there was a heavy odor of natural gas, there was another explosion and fire.”

A Reuters photographer at the scene described the front of the building as having been “blasted away,” while the remainder of the structure remained standing, albeit with shattered windows. News footage from WPVI-TV showed significant flames and smoke billowing from the damaged facility.

The exact number of patients and staff present at the time of the explosions is still being determined. The nursing home is certified for up to 174 beds, according to Medicare records. However, a nurse from the facility, speaking to WCAU-TV, indicated that more than 50 patients, aged between 50 and 95, were typically present.

Authorities were initially concerned about the whereabouts of all residents, but five hours after the incident, nursing home officials informed them that all patients had been accounted for, according to Dippolito.

Local residents immediately stepped in to assist emergency personnel, helping to escort people to safety. Bristol Township Police Lieutenant Sean Cosgrove noted the swift response from the community.

“This is the Pennsylvania way, neighbours helping neighbours in a moment of need,” Governor Josh Shapiro remarked during a news briefing alongside fire and police officials.

As of late Tuesday, fire and rescue teams continued to treat the operation as a rescue effort, utilizing heavy equipment to clear larger pieces of rubble and search for any remaining individuals.

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