Explosion at Silver Lake Healthcare Center in Bucks County Injures and Traps Residents
An explosion occurred at the Silver Lake healthcare center in Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, at approximately 2:17 pm on December 23, 2025. The blast caused a portion of the building to collapse, resulting in people being injured and trapped inside. Authorities described the scene as a mass casualty incident, with a plume of black smoke rising from the facility as emergency responders from across the region converged on the scene.
Initial accounts from first responders indicated the explosion was due to gas, although confirmation awaited an on-site examination. Investigators from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission safety division were en route to the location. A nearby facility, Truman High School, was considered as a temporary evacuation and reunification center, with district buses prepared to transport residents; however, by about 4:00 pm, no individuals had arrived at the site.
Governor Josh Shapiro stated he had been briefed on the incident and urged residents to heed local authorities' instructions, while offering prayers for the community of Bristol. Ruth Miller of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and state Representative Tina Davis described the immediate response efforts. Davis noted that responders came from multiple jurisdictions. Upper Makefield Township Police referred to the event as a mass casualty incident but noted the cause remained unclear.
The Silver Lake facility is a 174-bed center. According to Medicare.gov, it has an overall rating that is much below average, with poor health inspections reported. Nonetheless, a fire safety inspection in September 2024 found no citations.
