Category Archives: Nursing Home/Senior Living

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Farmington, ME – Malfunctioning ceiling fan fire put out by sprinkler system at rehabilitation & living center

A fire at Edgewood Rehabilitation & Living Center displaced more than three dozen residents and employees Sunday afternoon, according to the Farmington Fire Department.

Fire Chief Terry Bell said the fire, reported at about noon, was likely caused by a malfunctioning ceiling fan in one of the living center’s bathrooms.

Bell said more than 40 people were evacuated from the building at 228 Fairbanks Road. They were taken to Mt. Blue High School, also in Farmington.

The Franklin County Regional Communications Center posted on its Facebook page that staff from Edgewood, Northstar Ambulance, Regional School Unit 9 and several fire departments had set up at Mt. Blue High School to provide care for the Edgewood residents.

The fire was knocked down at about 1 p.m., according to Bell.

“The sprinkler system did its job and put most of the fire out,” he said. “Unfortunately, there was a good amount of damage to the building, from the fire and the water used to put it out.”

Adult Care/Rehab Center, Hospital/Care Facility, Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Oxford, NJ – Mattress fire at Rehabilitation and Nursing Center extinguished by fire sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A mattress fire Tuesday inside Warren Haven Rehabilitation and Nursing Center was extinguished by the facility’s sprinkler system, authorities said.

It was reported at 12:07 p.m. on the second floor at the 350 Oxford Road facility in Mansfield Township, according to township police Chief Michael Reilly.

It occurred in Room 243, which was unoccupied at the time and in an unoccupied wing, said Warren County Fire Marshal Joe Lake.

No one was injured, and the cause of the fire remained under investigation by township police, Lake and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office. 

Upon activation of a fire alarm, staff initiated their evacuation protocol, police said. Residents there were allowed to remain inside, behind closed doors, according to Lake.

Firefighters vented smoke from the building, and residents were allowed to go about their day, police said. 

Responding to the incident along with township police, Lake and the prosecutor’s office were the Mansfield Township Fire Department, Tri-County Fire Department, Oxford Township Fire Department, Independence Township Fire Department, Oxford Rescue Squad, Washington Borough Rescue Squad, Hackettstown Rescue Squad and Warren County Hazmat.

Privately owned, Warren Haven says it offers respite, short-term sub-acute rehabilitation and long-term care stays, as well as a secured memory care unit.

The facility was fully operational immediately following the incident and is working with local officials and the New Jersey Department of Health to investigate what happened, Warren Haven CEO Amy Austin said in a statement.

“Warren Haven remains committed to providing a safe environment of care for all of its residents/patients, employees, families, and visitors, and will continue to follow the guidance of the New Jersey State Department of Health and local authorities as necessary and appropriate,” Austin stated.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Niles, MI – Sprinkler system contains pantry fire at nursing home

Around 8 a.m. Monday, the Niles fire department responded to a pantry fire that broke out at Chalet of Niles, a nursing and memory care center at 911 S. Third St.

Firefighters arrived to find the fire contained by a sprinkler head that was set off. No fire damage occurred.

A few residents were briefly evacuated during the fire, and one staff member who inhaled smoke and was sent to Spectrum Health — Lakeland’s hospital in Niles.

Fire chief Larry Lamb said the incident brought about two lessons.

First was the importance of properly taking care of items with oils on them. While the investigation is not yet complete, he said the department was confident that the fire started by rags that had been used to sop up oils in the kitchen.

Lamb said fires like this start when oiled rags are washed, dried and left in a compacted state, such as in a full laundry basket. The heat and the compacted nature lead to residue oil on the rags catching fire.

“If they do have to clean up those types of things, either don’t launder [the rags] or make sure that once you do launder them, they’re put in a safe place until they’re completely cool,” he said.

The second lesson Lamb thought the incident brought about was the importance of a sprinkler system. If a sprinkler head had not detected the fire, the situation could have been much worse.

“A lot of people say, ‘Well, what about the water damage?’ said Lamb, referring to discussions on sprinkler systems. “If there’s water damage, it’s only there because there would’ve been fire damage, which is much, much worse.”

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Ocala, FL – Attic fire at assisted living home extinguished by fire sprinklers

Swift actions by the staff at an Ocala assisted living facility, coupled with fire suppression from a sprinkler system, diffused what could’ve been a tragic situation early Thursday morning.

Ocala Fire Rescue responded at 4:42 a.m. to reports of a commercial structure fire alarm at Ocala Cluster Facility, located in the 3200 block of SE 17 Street. While en route, firefighters were told that residents were being evacuated because light smoke was evident inside the facility, an Ocala Fire Rescue report states.

Upon arrival at the single-story, multi-unit residential structure, fire crews found moderate smoke showing. After making entry into the building, firefighters identified an active sprinkler head in the attic. Pulling ceiling tiles, crews gained access to the sprinkler head and verified the fire had been extinguished, the report says, adding that firefighters also ventilated the building to remove the smoke.

“The urgency with which the facility’s staff evacuated residents was essential to minimizing the effects of this fire call,” Battalion Chief Richie Lietz said. “Thanks to their prompt action, not only were multiple bedridden residents out of harm’s way before our arrival, but they avoided smoke inhalation and trauma from experiencing a fire.”

A building inspector was called to the scene to assess the integrity of the structure. No other injuries were reported. And Marion County Fire Rescue also responded to offer assistance, the report says.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Shrewsbury, NJ – Sprinkler system puts out dryer fire at assisted living facility

Residents who are part of an assisted living community off Route 35 were temporarily evacuated Thursday evening after a fire broke out in a basement dryer in one of the residential buildings, authorities said.

The incident occurred at Brandywine Living at The Sycamore, according to Facebook post from Shrewsbury Hose Company 1.

The incident was first reported after 6 p.m.

“The fire was quickly extinguished by the sprinklers and our firefighters,” the post said. “An evacuation of the facility was initiated with the assistance of Shrewsbury PD (Police Department), and several Fire and EMS partners were requested for assistance. Damage was limited to the dryer room, and all of the residents were returned to the building.”

The Eatontown Fire Department and EMS, Little Silver Fire Department and EMS, Oceanport Fire Department, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Monmouth County EMS Task Force and Shrewsbury and Eatontown police departments all responded to the blaze, the post said.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Clovis, CA – Fire at senior living facility extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A senior living facility was evacuated for the second time this month as a fire broke out in a residential unit Sunday night.

The fire was put out by the sprinkler system at Solstice Senior Living at Fowler and Shaw avenues around 11 p.m.

The second alarm was called because Clovis Fire officials needed additional resources to evacuate residents who may not be able to get out on their own.

There were no injuries reported.

Fire crews are checking units for any water damage from the sprinkler system.

The first fire that officials responded to on May 10 was for a fire that sparked from a blanket set on a heater. No one was injured in that fire.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Winter Haven, FL – Fire at senior citizen apartment complex extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A kitchen fire led to major damage at a Winter Haven apartment complex for senior citizens.

Before 8 p.m. Monday, Winter Haven firefighters responded to an alarm call at E.C Towers, located at 500 Avenue L NW.

They said the fire was out when they arrived, but there was water damage to apartment units below where the initial fire took place. More than 200 residents were evacuated. They said about 50 units were damaged and those residents will be temporarily displaced. Red Cross is assisting. 

“The fire sprinkler system did exactly what is was designed to do,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “Although there is some water damage to lower units, there is minimal damage overall.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire sprinkler systems can reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 85 percent.

There were no reported injuries. It’s unclear when or if residents can return to their homes. 

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Vanderhoof, BC, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at senior care facility; No injuries reported

An early morning fire has forced the displacement of 36 seniors at a care facility in Vanderhoof.

Northern Health says the fire broke out just before 2 a.m. this (Monday) morning resulting in the need to move residents out of three sections of Stuart Nechako Manor.

Spokesperson Eryn Collins says no residents or staff were harmed during or as a result of the fire.

“The Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. The facility sprinkler system was activated during the event and has caused some water damage to three sections of the facility, necessitating the transfer of clients and patients for their own comfort and convenience.”

She adds the 36 affected residents are currently being housed in St. John’s Hospital and Aspen House (an unaffected section of Stuart Nechako Manor) where they are being kept safe and comfortable while next steps are being arranged.

No word yet on what caused the fire or how severe the damage is.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Albany, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at senior living facility

The Albany Fire Department responded — twice — to a fire in a unit at the Brookdale Senior Living facility Saturday night.

Sandy Roberts of the Fire Department said firefighters were initially called to the facility, at 2445 Geary St. SE, by an automated alarm. However, staff at the facility thought it was a false alarm and called the department and told them to disregard the call, she said.

Staff eventually realized there was a fire and called the department again. The fire crews were called out for a structure fire at 10:36 p.m. Roberts said the building was equipped with sprinklers, which activated and extinguished the fire.

“It’s an excellent case showing why sprinkler systems are incredibly useful,” she said.

Roberts said the fire appears to have been started by a nightlight that fell onto a resident’s bed. The department is treating it as an accidental fire.

Albany fire personnel evaluated the resident in the unit that caught fire, but did not transport the resident to a hospital. The resident was not displaced by the fire, she said.

Roberts added that no fire personnel were injured by the fire, but a wing of the facility suffered extensive smoke and water damage.

She added that in cases of fire alarm activation, the safest option is to let firefighters come and make sure there is no fire.

“The best rule of thumb is to let us come when you have a fire alarm,” she said.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Chesapeake, VA – Fire at residential care facility extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

The Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Norfolk Fire Departments responded to a fire at Indian River Residential Care Sunday. According to Chesapeake Fire, the fire started on the exterior of the residential care facility, which is located in the 1000 block of Justis Street. Crews were called to the scene at 12:03 p.m. Fire extension to the interior was quickly extinguished by the sprinkler system. No injuries were reported.