PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Last month’s deadly natural gas explosion at a Bristol nursing home happened three hours after the smell of gas was first reported, federal investigators said on Wednesday.
In a new preliminary report on the Dec. 23 explosion, the National Transportation Safety Board said the maintenance director at the Bristol Health and Rehab Center first reported a smell of natural gas in the facility's basement and first-floor hallway around 11 a.m. A PECO tech arrived just before noon, found a leak on a meter valve, and called for a repair tech, who arrived at 1:20 p.m.
About 180 people were inside the facility when the explosion happened at 2:15 p.m. Three people were killed and 20 were injured. In the aftermath of the explosion, more than 100 residents were displaced.
The NTSB said the foreman and the meter tech each had less than a year's experience on the job.
Investigators recovered the meter, valves and fittings for further review.
In a written statement, PECO said, “Independent of any external investigation, PECO remains committed to the integrity of our system and ensuring our processes and procedures are designed to address a range of situations. Nevertheless, we recognize the importance of continuous improvement and vigilance with respect to the safe and reliable delivery of electric and natural gas service.”
Several residents and staff members have sued the facility's operator, Saber Healthcare Group and PECO. Saber did not respond to KYW Newsradio’s request for comment.