Two dead, others missing in US nursing home blast: governor

Washington, United States: At least two people died and several others were missing after a catastrophic explosion Tuesday demolished part of a nurs...

Washington, United States: At least two people died and several others were missing after a "catastrophic" explosion Tuesday demolished part of a nursing home in eastern Pennsylvania, the US state's governor said.

Authorities in Bucks County north of Philadelphia said a gas leak may have led to the explosion, which caused part of the Silver Lake Nursing Home to collapse, leaving some people trapped in the fiery debris.

"At this time there are at least two fatalities. We know that there are some number of individuals still missing," Governor Josh Shapiro told a press conference.

The governor praised quick-thinking first responders, notably firefighters who "were quite literally climbing up ladders, handing individuals in this nursing home to police, who were at times carrying two people on their back to safety."

Bristol Township fire chief Kevin Dippolito said there was "a heavy odor of gas" when firefighters arrived.