The NTSB published more than 3,200 pages of documents this week as part of its investigation into the Dec. 23, 2025, blast at Bristol Health and Rehab Center. The records do not include a final report or a probable-cause determination, which an NTSB spokesperson said could still be months or even years away.

Three people died as a result of the explosion. Muthoni Nduthu, a 52-year-old Kenyan immigrant who worked at the facility, and an unidentified resident were killed in the blast. In January, 66-year-old resident Patricia Mero died from her injuries.

The documents lay out a timeline of the hours before the explosion. A nursing home employee called PECO at 11:07 a.m. to report a possible leak. Around 2 p.m., the facility's maintenance director began receiving gas odor complaints from employees. The building exploded at 2:15 p.m.

A PECO meter technician dispatched to the site before the blast later told investigators he had never seen that type of valve before. The documents do not establish when the valve was installed or manufactured, but records reviewed by the NTSB trace its design to the 1940s, and the valve is no longer manufactured. The company that made it did not respond to a request for comment.

The records also show that PECO had found a separate gas leak at the nursing home 77 days before the explosion during proactive maintenance, and that workers repaired that earlier leak.

According to the documents, PECO employees had difficulty locating some records for the facility because its address was incorrect in the company's system. As a result, information about the gas service, including the service line and gas main, was not readily available.

One PECO employee raised concerns about a leak sheet workers were instructed to create after the explosion, in part because the nursing home's working address was not in PECO's system. The employee characterized the document as a "completely fabricated piece of evidence" and said he believed workers had essentially "forged a company document" for management. The employee also told investigators that the information recorded on the leak sheet was accurate to the best of his knowledge, and that his concerns centered on how the document was created, partially completed and filed.

PECO declined an on-camera interview but released a statement expressing sympathy to the families of those who died, the injured, displaced residents and the Bristol community. The company said it had made safety changes, including employee training and identifying indoor meters and moving them outside.

"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," the statement said. "We recognize the importance of continuous improvement and vigilance with respect to the safe and reliable delivery of electric and natural gas service."

Saber Healthcare Group, which owns the nursing home, said the NTSB records confirm that its staff promptly reported the gas odor to PECO and that the leaking gas line and valve belonged to the utility. The company alleged that PECO's response was marked by serious failures: a technician dispatched who had not been trained to repair an indoor leak, an inability to locate the utility's own shutoff valve, a failure to shut off gas before working on the leaking valve, and gas continuing to flow to the building for more than 90 minutes after the explosion. Saber also said PECO did not have a correct address for the facility in its system.

IBEW Local 614, the union representing PECO employees, said its members told the truth and fully cooperated with the investigation. "The sins of PECO management were paid for in blood and this is a wakeup call," the union said in a statement, adding that there is "catastrophic neglect across the system that will cause more fatalities if left unaddressed." The union said it is eager to work with PECO management and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to resolve remaining issues.

In a second statement Friday afternoon, PECO said the NTSB investigation is governed by clear rules meant to protect the integrity of the process and allow the board to establish facts independently. The company said public comment before the investigation is complete is irresponsible and that speculation undermines the process. "PECO is following the NTSB's rules completely, and we expect all other participating parties to do the same," the statement said. "When the NTSB completes its work, PECO will address its findings head-on, together with IBEW and our workforce, and we will continue to implement enhancements to make our company and our communities safer."

Jordan Strokovsky, an attorney representing Susan Gubitosi, a resident in her 70s who survived the explosion with several broken bones, said his client faces lasting pain. "She is such a strong person and such a positive person and her resilience is remarkable, but she's going to be spending the rest of her life in pain and she's going to be suffering until her very last breath," Strokovsky said.

The newly released records add detail to a tragedy that has fueled calls for stronger oversight of gas infrastructure and utility practices. The NTSB's final findings are still pending.