Widower Sues Over Deadly Bristol Nursing Home Explosion
Widower Files Lawsuit After Fatal Explosion
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, David Ndegwa Mathenge, the husband of one of the three people killed in last month’s Bucks County nursing home explosion, filed a lawsuit in connection with the incident in Bristol, Pennsylvania.
Mathenge is the widower of 52-year-old nurse Muthoni Nduthu, who worked at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center located at 905 Tower Road in Bristol. She was among three people who died following an explosion at the facility on December 23, 2025.
Defendants Named in Legal Action
The lawsuit names Bristol Health & Rehab Center, its owner Saber Healthcare Holdings, LLC, PECO Energy Company, and PECO’s parent company, Exelon Corporation, as defendants. The filing alleges failures related to conditions at the nursing home prior to the December 23 explosion.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants allegedly knew about a gas leak and odor at the facility for “multiple hours, if not multiple days” before the explosion took place. The complaint further alleges that, despite this knowledge, the defendants did not evacuate residents, visitors, or workers from the building.
Allegations Regarding Safety Decisions
The lawsuit states that the defendants instructed residents, visitors, and workers to remain inside Bristol Health & Rehab Center despite what the complaint characterizes as extreme danger. The filing claims this conduct demonstrated a conscious disregard for the safety and lives of people in and around the nursing home at the time.
Casualties and Injuries from the Blast
The December 23, 2025 explosion at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center killed three people, including Nduthu. Another victim, 66-year-old Patricia Mero, died from her injuries on Monday, January 5, 2026. Officials have not yet publicly identified the third person who died.
In addition to the fatalities, twenty other people were injured in the explosion, which shook nearby houses in Bristol. The event prompted an emergency response and subsequent federal investigation.
Other Lawsuits Filed by Injured Individuals
Mathenge’s filing is one of several lawsuits connected to the explosion. Last week, four people who were injured in the blast filed suit against the facility and PECO, alleging negligence. Two additional injured individuals later filed a separate lawsuit as well, bringing the total number of known civil actions from injured parties to six.
Ongoing Federal Investigation
Officials have not yet announced the cause of the explosion. Authorities have confirmed that a PECO utility crew was at the nursing home investigating reports of a gas odor when the blast occurred.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the explosion. PECO has stated, through a spokesperson, that it is a party to the NTSB investigation and is fully cooperating. The spokesperson also said that, under NTSB rules, the company is not permitted to comment further on the matter.
Funeral Arrangements for Victim
Nduthu is survived by her husband, three sons, and a granddaughter. Her funeral is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Ephrem Church, located at 5400 Hulmeville Road in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.