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At least two women -- one resident and one employee -- were killed and 20 others were wounded in an explosion and fire at a nursing home in Pennsylvania, officials confirmed via ABC News.
The incident, which is suspected to have possibly been caused by a gas leak, occurred at Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol on Tuesday (December 23). Nineteen off the 20 people injured were still hospitalized, including one reported to be in critical condition, Bristol Township Police Chief CJ Winick announced on Wednesday (December 24).
Parts of the first floor were reported to have collapsed into the basement, which left several people trapped inside, according to Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito. All employees and 120 residents were reported to have been accounted for.
Winick praised the first responders for their "heroism," acknowledging that they ran into the building despite a strong odor of gas in order to successfully evacuate residents, including some unable to walk or communicate.
"This could've been a much more serious catastrophe," Winick said during a news conference that took place on Wednesday. "The actions of everybody involved help preserve life."
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, Dippolito confirmed during Wednesday's press conference. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said that preliminary belief was that a gas leak was responsible and Dippolito said the leak was suspected to have started in the facility's basement.