Nursing Home Explosion Injures Four, Prompting Negligence Lawsuit

Four individuals injured in a devastating explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home two weeks ago have filed a lawsuit against the facility and a natural gas utility, alleging negligence on their part.

The lawsuit was initiated by two employees of Bristol Health & Rehab Center LLC, a resident of the suburban Philadelphia nursing home, and a contractor who was present during the explosion on December 23. The defendants named in the suit include PECO Energy Company, the provider of natural gas to the facility, its parent company Exelon Corp., and Saber Healthcare Holdings LLC, based in Beachwood, Ohio.

According to the lawsuit filed in Philadelphia court, the defendants “were aware of a gas leak in the building and failed to take the steps necessary to evacuate the building, fix the leak, and protect the residents, workers, and others that were exposed to the horrific blast.”

Zach Shamberg, the chief of government affairs for Saber Healthcare Group, stated in an email on Monday that the company is cooperating with the ongoing investigation and refrained from commenting on the litigation.

Greg Smore, communications director for PECO, also noted in an email that, as a participant in an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, the company is not permitted to comment at this time. PECO has previously indicated that the cause of the explosion is under investigation, and it remains unclear whether their equipment or natural gas was involved.

The explosion tragically resulted in the deaths of a resident and a worker, while injuring 20 others. Although officials have not disclosed the cause, it is known that a PECO crew was on-site to investigate a reported gas leak when the explosion occurred.

The lawsuit claims that the gas leak “had been festering for days” and that the odor of gas was emanating from the boiler room. It further alleges, “Defendants’ decision not to immediately initiate evacuation procedures under these circumstances was reckless and outrageous given the population within the building, with many residents having limited mobility and unable to self-evacuate in the case of an emergency.”

Authorities reported that a utility crew was responding to reports of a gas odor when the explosion took place. In the aftermath, acts of heroism were noted, with approximately 100 residents being relocated to nearby nursing homes.

Among the deceased was Muthoni Nduthu, a 52-year-old Kenyan immigrant who worked at the facility. The identity of the other victim, a resident, has not been publicly disclosed.

The force of the explosion was so intense that it shook homes for blocks around in Bristol, located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Philadelphia.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Four individuals injured in a devastating explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home two weeks ago have filed a lawsuit against the facility and a natural gas utility, alleging negligence on their part.

The lawsuit was initiated by two employees of Bristol Health & Rehab Center LLC, a resident of the suburban Philadelphia nursing home, and a contractor who was present during the explosion on December 23. The defendants named in the suit include PECO Energy Company, the provider of natural gas to the facility, its parent company Exelon Corp., and Saber Healthcare Holdings LLC, based in Beachwood, Ohio.

According to the lawsuit filed in Philadelphia court, the defendants “were aware of a gas leak in the building and failed to take the steps necessary to evacuate the building, fix the leak, and protect the residents, workers, and others that were exposed to the horrific blast.”

Zach Shamberg, the chief of government affairs for Saber Healthcare Group, stated in an email on Monday that the company is cooperating with the ongoing investigation and refrained from commenting on the litigation.

Greg Smore, communications director for PECO, also noted in an email that, as a participant in an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, the company is not permitted to comment at this time. PECO has previously indicated that the cause of the explosion is under investigation, and it remains unclear whether their equipment or natural gas was involved.

The explosion tragically resulted in the deaths of a resident and a worker, while injuring 20 others. Although officials have not disclosed the cause, it is known that a PECO crew was on-site to investigate a reported gas leak when the explosion occurred.

The lawsuit claims that the gas leak “had been festering for days” and that the odor of gas was emanating from the boiler room. It further alleges, “Defendants’ decision not to immediately initiate evacuation procedures under these circumstances was reckless and outrageous given the population within the building, with many residents having limited mobility and unable to self-evacuate in the case of an emergency.”

Authorities reported that a utility crew was responding to reports of a gas odor when the explosion took place. In the aftermath, acts of heroism were noted, with approximately 100 residents being relocated to nearby nursing homes.

Among the deceased was Muthoni Nduthu, a 52-year-old Kenyan immigrant who worked at the facility. The identity of the other victim, a resident, has not been publicly disclosed.

The force of the explosion was so intense that it shook homes for blocks around in Bristol, located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Philadelphia.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
Lawsuits