Assisted living
Police, staff and neighbors rescued eight people from a burning Glendale senior care home
Body camera video released after a fire at a small Glendale, California assisted living home shows police, staff and neighbors pulling residents out; eight people were rescued and the cause is under investigation.
Key facts
- CBS News Los Angeles reported on September 14 that body camera footage showed officers, neighbors, staff and firefighters rescuing residents from the Mountain Villa senior home in the Glendale foothills, which caught fire the previous Friday.
- Eight people were rescued from the assisted living facility.
- Six patients, one staff member and a neighbor who ran in to help were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to the Glendale Fire Department.
What happened
CBS News Los Angeles reported on September 14 that body camera footage showed officers, neighbors, staff and firefighters rescuing residents from the Mountain Villa senior home in the Glendale foothills, which caught fire the previous Friday. Eight people were rescued from the assisted living facility. Six patients, one staff member and a neighbor who ran in to help were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to the Glendale Fire Department.
Firefighters said the home will be red-tagged and the cause has not been determined. The fire chief called it an active investigation for arson investigators. State inspectors had visited the home in March and reported that it had working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and that staff and residents were up to date on fire drills.
What it means for families
Small assisted living homes often care for people who cannot get out on their own. Fire safety depends on working alarms, practiced drills and enough staff on hand, especially at night.
For example: a resident who uses a walker or wheelchair needs someone to help them out. Knowing the home's plan for that resident, and who does what, is reasonable to ask about.
What this means in New York: New York adult care facilities and assisted living residences are inspected by the state Department of Health, and you can ask the residence for its fire and evacuation plan.
Quick answers
How many people were rescued in the Glendale senior home fire?
CBS News Los Angeles reported on September 14 that body camera footage showed officers, neighbors, staff and firefighters rescuing residents from the Mountain Villa senior home in the Glendale foothills, which caught fire the previous Friday. Eight people were rescued from the assisted living facility. Six patients, one staff member and a neighbor who ran in to help were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to the Glendale Fire Department.
What to do this week
- Ask your parent's residence how often it runs fire drills, including at night, and when the last one was.
- Ask how residents who cannot walk on their own are evacuated and how many staff are on duty overnight.
- Check that your parent's room has a working smoke detector and a clear path to the door.
Sources
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