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.

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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.

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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.