“We are aware that individuals are trapped inside,” stated Ruth Miller, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

Bucks County authorities alerted the agency of an explosion that occurred just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Silver Lake nursing home located in Bristol Township, approximately 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia.

State Representative Tina Davis, who represents the district encompassing the facility, attempted to reach the scene in her vehicle but chose not to interfere.

“I witnessed smoke, and there was a continuous line of vehicles, mostly fire trucks and ambulances, coming from all directions,” Davis reported.

She mentioned discussions about potentially using a nearby school as a temporary evacuation site.

Jim Morgan, the president of the Bristol Township School Board, announced that district buses would transport individuals from the nursing home emergency site to a reunification center at Truman High School.

He said officials were working on setting up beds and providing water and other needs to residents. As of 4pm no one had showed up at the school, Morgan said.

“It’s just so sad – it’s that hopeful time of year. This is just something that is sad for everybody and the families and the workers that are there,” Davis said.

“I hope there’s positive results from this. We don’t know at this point.”