PHILADELPHIA — On Tuesday, an explosion occurred at a nursing home located just outside Philadelphia, and authorities believe that some individuals may be trapped inside.

“There are reports of people being trapped within the building,” stated Ruth Miller, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

Authorities in Bucks County were informed of the explosion shortly before 3 p.m. at the Silver Lake nursing home in Bristol Township, approximately 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia.

The Parkland Fire Company responded to the incident, tackling the intense third-alarm fire engulfing the nursing home.

State Representative Tina Davis, whose district encompasses the area, attempted to approach the scene by car but chose not to interfere with the emergency response efforts.

“I saw smoke and I saw car after car after car was a fire truck or ambulance from all over the city, from all over,” Davis said.

She said there was talk of using a nearby school as a temporary evacuation area.

Jim Morgan, president of the Bristol Township School Board, said district buses will be taking people from the emergency scene at the nursing home 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 4 p.m. 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. I hope there’s positive results from this. We don’t know at this point,” Davis said.

It’s unclear if there are any injuries at this time. 

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