Updated Feb. 4, 2026, 6:27 p.m. CT
Two weeks after a fatal natural gas explosion at a Bristol Township nursing home sent hundreds of emergency responders and then federal investigators into the surrounding neighborhood, PECO representatives showed up.
The private utility company confirmed they provided $250 Visa gift cards to “several“ residents who live near the 174-bed Bristol Health and Rehab Center, formerly known as Silver Lake Nursing Home.
The representatives provided residents with the gift cards, and a letter dated Jan. 6 acknowledging the disruption and thanking the residents for their “patience and understanding” during the National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the fatal Dec. 23 accident.
PECO is a participant in the ongoing NTSB investigation. The agency’s preliminary report released Jan. 28 found a gas leak in an indoor meter set valve was responsible for two catastrophic explosions at the property.
Three people were killed, 19 were injured, and more than 100 residents and employees were displaced in the blast that prompted a six-hour search-and-rescue operation. The building, which is uninhabitable, is now fenced off and boarded up
“We value your trust and partnership as we work to maintain the safety and reliability of our services and support the communities where we live and work,” according to a copy of the letter, which was on letter head for Kelly Colarell, PECO’s vice president of customer operations.
PECO did not respond to questions about how many residents received the letters and gift cards.
A source with knowledge of the gift card distribution said residents on Old Orchard Lane, Apple and Tower roads, Fayette Drive and Merlin Street, which surround the now shuttered building, received them.
PECO spokeswoman Candice Womer described the distribution as similar to actions the company had previously taken.
“This was a small gesture to acknowledge the disruption in the area for several residents,” she said. “We have provided similar gestures of goodwill for other circumstances, such as extended outage durations during storms.”
Public Utility Commission spokesman Nils Hagen-Frederiksen said the oversight agency had “nothing further at this point,” when asked in an email if utility companies are allowed to give away gift cards.
Bucks County Attorney John Cordisco, who represents victims of the explosion, called the gift card distribution a public relations effort “to acknowledge the disturbance and the concerns neighbors had regarding the potential devastation to their community.”
Philadelphia attorney Brian Fritz called it offensive for the utility company to come into a community after a catastrophic and “preventable” incident to pass out gift cards, especially for victims injured in the blast.
“It leaves a taste in the mouth about it, added Fritz, who also represents explosion victims.
Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com
