MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP – A state police fire marshal investigated the fire at the Mount Carmel Senior Living Community on Saturday morning.
Sara Barrett, a public information officer for the state police says the fire marshal has determined the blaze started in a common area of the personal care home, but the exact cause remains under investigation.
The three-alarm fire, reported at 7:30am Saturday, was contained before it could spread further. The nursing home section, separated by a fire door, was not affected. Twelve residents, three staff members, and five first responders were taken to area hospitals for evaluation and treatment, mostly for smoke inhalation.
Authorities credited the quick actions of staff and first responders for ensuring everyone was evacuated safely. Volunteers from Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Columbia counties responded to the scene.
