Three dead and 20 injured in a nursing home explosion in Bristol, Pennsylvania, officials said

Three people died after an explosion at a nursing home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said during a press conference that two people had died, and police later confirmed to CBS News Philadelphia that another person had been found dead in the building.

Police said that twenty people were injured and taken to five hospitals in the area. Police said everyone was accounted for.

Officials believe a gas leak led to two explosions and a fire, officials said.

According to a PECO spokesperson, crews responded to reports of a gas odor at the nursing home shortly after 2 p.m

“While crews were on scene, an explosion occurred at the facility. PECO crews shut off natural gas and electric services to the facility to ensure the safety of first responders and local residents,” the statement read.

“It is not known at this time whether PECO or natural gas equipment was involved in this incident,” PECO said later Tuesday night.

CBS News Philadelphia

Part of the building collapsed. Officials say a reunion site has been set up at Truman High School in Levittown.

Bristol Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito said emergency crews were still working to rescue people who might be stuck in the building. Dippolito said they are using sonar and dogs to help in the search.

He added that two people were rescued from under the collapsed part of the building.

Shapiro praised the work of firefighters and other first responders from across the region who rushed to the scene.

“They were literally climbing up the stairs, handing over the individuals in this nursing home to the police, who would sometimes carry two people on their backs to safety,” Shapiro said.

The new owners took over the facility earlier this month, Shapiro said. He added that the state health department visited the home on December 10, and a plan was drawn up to modernize the facility.