Crime & Safety

Nursing Home Residents Evacuated After Major Roof Leak

More than 120 were taken to area hospitals and nursing homes for the time being.

More than 120 residents of a Bryn Mawr nursing home were evacuated early Monday morning after a major roof leak caused a small electric fire and had water running from the second floor to the first floor, said fire officials on the scene.

Jim Marino, the Haverford Township Fire Marshal, told Patch that township fire and rescue crews were called to a small electrical fire at around 2 a.m. on Monday at the .

He said that the fire was caused by a leaking roof and easily contained, but because of the amount of water falling through the ceiling and arching wires, 49 residents were moved from the second floor to the first floor.

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But at around 3:30 a.m., it was decided that in the best interests of the residents that a full evacuation of the facility was needed, Marino said.

All 123 residents were removed from the Brighten At Bryn Mawr and some were taken to area hospitals and nursing homes for the time being, Marion said. Some were taken to , Lankenau and Paoli hospitals, as well as other Delaware County hospitals.

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Southeastern Pennsylvania Specialized Medical Response Team set up a mobile hospital for residents until transportation was made available. An estimated 85 residents were in the mobile hospital.

There were no reported injuries of the residents, but one fire fighter slipped and broke his ankle, Marino said.

Three Lower Merion School District buses and one Haverford School District bus were seen transporting residents to their destinations.

Some residents had relatives picking them up to stay with them.

Police closed East Railroad Avenue from Polo Road to County Line Road.

Marino said he was not sure what caused the major roof leak, but it did look as if it was a progressing problem that came to a head early Monday morning.

He stated that fire officials should be finished around 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday.

Brighten officials were not immediately available for comment.


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