The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa. – By Joshua Byers
Eight people were transported Tuesday evening to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center after a fire at Richland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
Six employees were transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation, and two residents were sent for precautionary measures, Richland Township fire Chief Wes Meyers said.
Fire crews from five departments responded around 8 p.m. to a reported working building fire at the nursing home in the 300 block of Vo Tech Drive in Richland Township.
“I was there pretty quick,” Meyers said. “There was smoke coming out of the door of the A wing, and they were evacuating people.”
Meyers said that electrical issues caused an HVAC unit to catch fire in a room. The fire was contained to the room and crews knocked it down in about five minutes.
“Their staff did a fantastic job as they were getting everyone out,” Meyers said.
First responders cleared the scene after roughly two hours.
Richland, Windber, Scalp Level, St. Michael and Johnstown fire departments responded, along with East Hills, Forest Hills and Riverside EMS units.
