Nursing Assistant Identified as 1 of 2 Victims Killed in Nursing Home Explosion as New Details Emerge

Officials have identified one of the two people who died in a nursing home explosion in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — an incident that also sent about 19 people to the hospital.

The Bucks County Coroner’s Office said Muthoni Nduthu, 52, a nursing assistant at Bristol Health and Rehab Center (also known as the Silver Lake Nursing Home), was among the two fatalities from the Tuesday, Dec. 23 explosion, according to reports from ABC affiliate WPVI, USA Today and NBC affiliate WGAL. The second victim, a female resident at the facility, has not been publicly identified.

PECO Energy Company said its crews responded shortly after 2 p.m. to reports of a gas odor at the facility on Tower Road in Bristol Township. While crews were on site, the company said, an explosion occurred. PECO reported that it shut off natural gas and electric service to the building “to ensure the safety of first responders and local residents.”

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said a preliminary investigation indicated a gas leak may have led to the blast.

Firefighters arriving at the scene encountered what officials described as extensive damage. Bristol Township Fire Department Chief Kevin Dippolito said there was a “major structural collapse,” including portions of the first floor falling into the basement, with people trapped inside.

Following the incident, Bristol Township Manager Randee J. Mazur issued a local emergency declaration. Mazur said residents were rescued from difficult locations throughout the building — including through windows and doors, and from stairwells and elevator shafts.

As rescue efforts unfolded, Dippolito said responders detected a “heavy odor of gas” at the site.

At a Wednesday, Dec. 24 press conference, Bristol Township officials confirmed the two deaths and said 19 people remained hospitalized, including one person in critical condition. Bristol Township Police Chief CJ Winik also said everyone had been accounted for.

Officials said the investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine what caused the explosion. Dippolito said heavy machinery was being used to excavate the area as part of that process. He added he could not confirm whether there was a persistent gas smell before the utility crew arrived, and said the fire department had not received reports of a gas leak prior to the incident.

Winik also spoke about the urgency of the rescue operation, describing the danger first responders faced as they moved people out of the damaged structure.

Nduthu’s eldest son, Clinton Ndegwa, told The New York Times that his mother — originally from Kenya — had been looking forward to spending the Christmas holidays with family in North Carolina. He said the family learned of her death Tuesday evening and has not yet claimed her body while the investigation continues.

In a statement shared on social media Wednesday, Gov. Shapiro said he ordered flags at Commonwealth facilities, buildings and grounds in Bucks County to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims. The Bucks County government also issued condolences, praising the quick response of firefighters, police, EMS and nursing home staff who acted to protect residents and employees.