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Monday, May 18, 2009 8:22 AM Cigarette may have caused Elm City fire By Antonio Velarde | Times Staff Writer ELM CITY — Authorities believe that a resident smoking in bed may have caused a fire that heavily damaged an Elm City assisted living center and displaced 42 residents late Saturday night. Fire gutted the interior of Applewood Assisted Living at 416 N. Parker St., caving in part of its roof, destroying a carport structure behind the building and causing flames to leap high into the air, said Toisnot Rural Fire Department Chief Lin Jones. Residents were hurriedly evacuated by staff at the assisted living center before firefighters arrived on scene, and no injuries were reported. Three firefighters were taken to Wilson Medical Center for observation, but were later released. Jones said firefighters were dispatched by Wilson County 911 operators to the center at about 10:52 p.m. after a fire alarm went off in the building. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke spewing from the building and flames shooting from the roof. Firefighters from Toisnot, Silver Lake, East Nash, Sharpsburg and Bakertown rural fire departments put down the fire in about an hour and stayed on the scene until 4 a.m. Sunday. The American Red Cross and area EMS units also assisted. Jones said it appears that the main structure of the building is a total loss. There was fire, smoke and water damage throughout the building. “It’s pretty heavily damaged,” he said. The center’s 42 residents have been split up among nursing homes in Wilson and Rocky Mount, he said. Jones said authorities know the fire began in a bedroom in the main building of the nursing home, possibly caused by someone smoking in bed. He said the fire is not being deemed suspicious, and that no charges would be pressed. Kenny Williams, 35, and his mother, Linda Forbes, who live across the street from the center, saw the fire Saturday night. Williams, who said he was in his bedroom at the time, noticed flashing lights outside their home and initially thought someone had been arrested. When he walked outside, he said, it became apparent what had happened. “The smoke was so thick you couldn’t see across the street,” he said. Williams said family members rushed to the nursing home to help any way they could. Forbes said area residents made sure everyone got out unharmed physically. “We got everybody out and they transported them,” Forbes said. avelarde@wilsontimes.com | 265-7868 |
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jailergirl said...
Thanks so much for all of those who helped in getting the residents out safely!!! My aunt is a resident there and we are just glad she is safe. I went out there every week to see her and each and every time someone was outside begging for cigarettes, so what happened really doesn't surprise me. I just hate it happened. We are looking forward to the rebuild and know it will be better than ever.thanks again to all the employees and firefighters who helped that night.
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Cigarette smoker said...Thanks so much for all of those who helped in getting the residents out safely!!! My aunt is a resident there and we are just glad she is safe. I went out there every week to see her and each and every time someone was outside begging for cigarettes, so what happened really doesn't surprise me. I just hate it happened. We are looking forward to the rebuild and know it will be better than ever.thanks again to all the employees and firefighters who helped that night.
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 9:35 AM
You know it's the first thing blamed for almost everything. Wiring could have been the problem. I had a light fixture installed and the wires were not put in correctly. It was causing a problem. Why speculate? Let's get the facts before we accuse.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 6:43 AM
Said,I think the article said MAY have caused ...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 5:34 AM
GREAT JOB.. HAT OFF TO ALL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 2:14 AM
It's a shame that someone NEAR the END of their life can't even SMOKE IN PEACE! I got an email the other day that asked if I thought there'd be a smoking section in heaven. I answered, "YES, if there's a gluttony section, I feel for sure there will be one." Why put may have been caused, why not put unknown until you have the facts.
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 11:40 PM
