An explosion and fire at a nursing home in Pennsylvania partially collapsed, killing at least two people and injuring several others.
Emergency services were called to Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol at around 2pm local time (7pm GMT) on Tuesday after reports of a smell of gas. When crews arrived, the building exploded, causing a large fire, authorities said.
Five people remain missing, but authorities said it was unclear whether they were inside the building.
Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito told reporters that firefighters pulled residents from windows, stairs and elevators and took them to safety.
“There was a police officer who literally lifted them onto his shoulders and ran with them toward the medical staff,” he said.
Dippolito said several people were trapped in the basement of the collapsed building but were rescued.
“We are still in rescue mode. We are not in recovery mode,” he said.
The fire chief said emergency services were still working to rescue people who may be trapped inside the building.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said the exact number of injured was not yet known and the cause of the explosion was still under investigation.
Images and videos posted by local media on social platforms showed partially destroyed buildings with large flames shooting out.
Shapiro praised the support of local authorities who rushed to offer assistance, calling residents living near nursing homes “outstanding.”
“Residents came out of their homes and offered to help us,” he said. “This is the Pennsylvania way: neighbor helping neighbor in times of need.”