Fire breaks out in nursing home

BELLBROOK, Ohio (WDTN) - Dozens of elderly patients were evacuated after a two alarm fire at a Bellbrook nursing home. Fire alarms sounded at the Bellbrook Rehab and Healthcare Center Saturday morning, alerting residents and staff to a fire in the laundry room.

"Me and one of the guys in a wheel chair was watching Avatar in the living room and the siren went off and the first thing i did was grab him and got him out," said Brian Shepard, who is recovering from a leg injury at the center.

In all, 48 patients had to be evacuated. Fire officials said everyone got out without a hitch.

"I've been through a few tests and they did a good job, for the real deal an excellent job," said Shepard.

Fire crews responded quickly, and because the call was to a nursing home facility, the first crew immediately called for back-up. Emergency responders from Bellbrook, Kettering, Washington Township and Miami Township responded.

"You can't staff enough people for an event that only happens every couple of years, but the mutual aid that you see today worked beautifully," said Sugarcreek Township Fire Chief Randy Pavlak.

Officials did not yet have a dollar amount for the damage to the building. An investigation into the cause is underway.