- Five people unaccounted for but figure is preliminary
- Search-and-rescue operation ongoing hours later
- Explosion apparently sparked by gas leak in building
- Bystanders helped with patient evacuations
- Portion of ground floor collapsed into basement
Pennsylvania
Heat advisory issued for Pennsylvania for Tuesday
On Sunday at 3:47 a.m. a heat advisory was issued by the National Weather Service valid for Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. for Carbon, Monroe, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks counties.
“Heat index values up to 103 degrees expected,” states the weather service. “This is the start of a prolonged period of excessive heat with high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s through the week. The early season heat combined with the prolonged nature of the heat may cause heat related impacts that exceed anticipate heat illnesses or on heat sensitive infrastructure normally associated with a Heat Advisory.”
“Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events,” says the weather service.
Hot weather safety: Weather service tips for staying safe and healthy
- Stay hydrated: Remember to drink plenty of fluids.
- Seek shelter: Stay indoors in an air-conditioned room to keep cool.
- Avoid sun exposure: Avoid direct sun exposure, protect yourself and check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors.
- Child and pet safety: Never leave young children and pets unattended in hot vehicles – car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
- Caution outdoors: Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside.
- Optimal timing: If possible, move strenuous activities to early morning or evening for more favorable conditions.
- Recognize heat-related issues: Recognize the warning signs and familiarize yourself with symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Dress comfortably: Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing to stay cool.
Additional tips for outdoor workers:
- For outdoor workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
- If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
- In emergency situations, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
These NWS heat safety recommendations are vital for your well-being during periods of high temperatures. Stay informed and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others from the heat’s potentially dangerous effects.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Continue Reading
Pennsylvania
Blasts and fire shatter Pennsylvania nursing home, killing at least two
Item 1 of 5 Firefighters work at the site after a gas explosion caused a partial building collapse at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 23, 2025. REUTERS/Bastiaan Slabbers
[1/5]Firefighters work at the site after a gas explosion caused a partial building collapse at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 23, 2025. REUTERS/Bastiaan Slabbers Purchase Licensing Rights
BRISTOL, Pennsylvania, Dec 23 (Reuters) – A pair of explosions and a fire, apparently sparked by leaking gas, ripped through a nursing home near Philadelphia on Tuesday, killing at least two people and prompting an intense search for victims in a collapsed portion of the building, officials said.
Five people were believed to be missing hours after the blasts and flames ravaged the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township, about 21 miles (33 km) northeast of Philadelphia, Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito said.
Sign up here.
Besides the two people killed, an unspecified number of survivors were injured, Dippolito said, adding that numerous patients and staff initially trapped inside a demolished portion of the building were rescued.
The Bucks County emergency dispatch center received first reports of an explosion shortly after 2:00 p.m. EST (1900 GMT).
Dippolito said the first firefighters arriving on the scene, some from a fire-and-rescue station across the street, encountered “a major structural collapse,” with part of the building’s first floor crumbling into the basement below.
He said numerous victims were extricated from debris, blocked stairwells and stuck elevators, while firefighters ventured into the collapsed basement zone and pulled at least two more people to safety before retreating amid lingering gas fumes.
“We got everyone out that we could, that we could find, that we could see, and we exited the building,” Dippolito said. “Within approximately 15 to 30 seconds of us exiting the building, knowing there was a heavy odor of natural gas around us, there was another explosion and fire.”
The front of the structure appeared to have been blasted away from the inside, but the majority of the facility remained standing, though most of its windows were shattered, according to a Reuters photographer on the scene.
News footage from WPVI-TV, an ABC News affiliate, showed roaring flames and smoke billowing from the crippled building shortly after the first explosion.
The precise number of patients and staff inside at the time was not immediately known. The nursing home is certified for up to 174 beds, according to an official Medicare provider site.
More than 50 patients, ranging in age from 50 to 95, are typically in the building at any one time, WCAU-TV reported, citing a nurse employed by the facility who arrived on the scene after the blast. About five hours later, nursing home officials had informed authorities that all patients had been accounted for, Dippolito said.
In the early moments following the initial explosion, bystanders rushed to assist police and firefighters in escorting people to safety, Bristol Township Police Lieutenant Sean Cosgrove told local media earlier.
“This is the Pennsylvania way, neighbors helping neighbors in a moment of need,” Governor Josh Shapiro said at the news briefing with fire and police officials.
Five hours after the incident, Dippolito said fire and rescue personnel were still treating the search effort as a rescue operation as heavy equipment was brought in to help clear away larger pieces of rubble.
Reporting by Bastiaan Slabbers in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Brad Brooks, Maria Tsetkova and Helen Coster. Editing by Donna Bryson, Rod Nickel, Nia Williams and Michael Perry
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Pennsylvania
Dozens of animals removed from breeder’s property in central Pennsylvania
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 3:15PM
MIFFLINBURG, Pa. (WPVI) — Nearly 40 animals were rescued from a well-known breeder in Mifflinburg, Union County due to concerns about their care.
The Pennsylvania SPCA says its team removed dogs, cats, and even goats from the property on Old Turnpike Road last Thursday.
The Department of Agriculture says that while inspecting the property, several animals were found suffering from untreated medical conditions.
They are now undergoing treatment until new homes are found.
Charges against the breeder have not yet been announced.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Pennsylvania
Parts of central Pa. not getting snow overnight have a greater chance later this week
From minor snow and ice accumulations to almost 50-degree weather with sunny skies, and then a potential winter storm coming later this week, central Pennsylvania is getting it all, meteorologists said Monday night.
Tuesday’s winter storm is forecast to affect northern parts of the state, leaving the Harrisburg area mostly out of the drama, as meteorologists say a winter weather advisory will start at 1 a.m. for the following counties: Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter.
But the Harrisburg area and southeastern parts of the state will not be heavily affected by the wintry mix, as National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist John Banghoff said residents will see light snow that will transition into rain before 8 a.m.
There’s a chance of rain showers between 8 and 10 a.m., before the clouds eventually break. Highs will get into the mid-40s.
“We don’t expect any significant winter weather impacts for the Harrisburg area and southeast Tuesday morning,” Banghoff told PennLive.
The snow accumulation could be less than a half inch on Tuesday. Winds will pick up Tuesday night, with gusts to 25 mph and temperatures falling into the mid-30s, he said.
Christmas Eve will bring sunny skies with temperatures around 47.
Late Christmas Eve into Christmas morning, some areas, especially the southwest, might see light rain. In the central mountains, there could be a light mix of rain and snow.
Starting Christmas Day, temperatures are expected to again reach the mid-40s with the possibility of scattered rain showers, he said.
However, residents should take precaution with traveling on Friday, as meteorologists are monitoring a potential winter storm that could get messy, according to Banghoff.
Despite the uncertainty in terms of how Friday’s winter storm evolves, he said the northeast will see heavy snow, while the southwest will have a high chance of ice. Central Pennsylvania is in the zone of getting a mix of snow, ice and rain, he said.
“Whether it’s snow, sleet, freezing rain, or rain, there is increasing confidence that there could be fairly widespread impacts from a potential winter storm on Friday,” Banghoff said.
He’s telling residents who plan on traveling after Christmas to pay close attention to the forecast before hitting the road, as it might not be a great travel day.
In the aftermath of the storm, Saturday will be cloudy, with a high near 41. On Sunday, residents could see a chance of showers and cloudy skies, with a high near 47.
-
Iowa1 week agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Maine1 week agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland1 week agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
New Mexico1 week agoFamily clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead
-
South Dakota1 week agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
Detroit, MI1 week ago‘Love being a pedo’: Metro Detroit doctor, attorney, therapist accused in web of child porn chats
-
Health1 week ago‘Aggressive’ new flu variant sweeps globe as doctors warn of severe symptoms
-
Maine1 week agoFamily in Maine host food pantry for deer | Hand Off