Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A fast-moving fire destroyed a suburban Philadelphia nursing home -- injuring at least 20 people and evacuating hundreds of seniors, authorities said Friday.
The five-alarm blaze at the Barclay Friends Nursing Home in West Chester started late Thursday. Within three hours, officials said a two-story building in the seven-building complex was completely engulfed.
Blanket-covered and wheelchair-bound residents were pushed to safety by firefighters, staff members and neighborhood volunteers.
Emergency responders made numerous rescues as flames torched the building in chilly 40-degree temperatures, fire officials said. Despite a risk of hypothermia, officials said the rescue was orderly.
The Red Cross of Eastern Pennsylvania said Friday it's working to transfer displaced senior residents to other facilities.
All injuries to residents are believed to be non-life-threatening.
Officials said Friday morning the fire was brought under control just before 1:30 a.m. Friday. The cause remains unknown.
More than 50 fire trucks and at least 200 firefighters from 30 companies responded to the massive fire, officials said.
Red Cross teams continue to support those displaced by the fire at Barclay Friends in West Chester. pic.twitter.com/8uItCmHrda
- Red Cross Philly (@RedCrossPhilly) November 17, 2017Advertisement
