BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP -- Hours after a small fire at a personal care home, dozens of residents are waiting for the OK to return.
Fire forced more than 50 seniors out of an assisted living center in Susquehanna County.
Shortly after noon, emergency crews were called to Gracious Living Estates on Route 29 in Bridgewater Township, near Montrose.
Emergency officials say they were able to quickly control the fire, but moving the 52 residents who were inside was a challenge.
"Fire filled the first floor of the building with smoke and they evacuated all the residents into safe areas," explained United Fire Company Assistant Chief Charlie Daly. "Once EMS arrived, we got the patients moved in ambulances as well as community buses."
Authorities said 52 residents and a little more than a dozen staff members were forced out of Gracious Living Estates. Officials believe a heating unit in one of the patient rooms sparked a fire.
No one was hurt and patients and staff members were quickly taken to South Montrose Community Church just down the road.
Toni Yakoski, who came to pick up her aunt, says she was worried when she got the call, but was relieved once she learned everyone was safe.
"It isn't the most pleasant day. She doesn't have anything. She doesn't have her walker or coat, but they do have blankets for them so they did the best they could for the situation," said Yakoski.
Emergency crews say the fire inspector will inspect the facility, but the biggest issue right now seems to be smoke damage and water damage from the sprinkler system.
"Currently we are working with the facility staff to get the facility serviceable again and we are trying to get a timeline on that to see how long the patients are going to be displaced," Chief Daly said.
Steve Kuzmics' 93-year-old mother has lived at Gracious Living Estates for the past five years, and Kuzmics said he was relieved when he picked her up and found her calm as ever.
"She's the benchmark for nervous and worrisome," said Kuzmics. "[And she had] no worries so they did a good job. I expected to come here and see how out of sorts, but she's 'oh happy days.'"
Authorities say it may be several days before residents can return to the facility.