Fire at Athens Assisted Living Facility

Some residents evacuated and suffered heat related injuries, but were treated and released

ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) – Residents at an Assisted Living Facility in Athens had to evacuate into the hot weather today because of a fire.

The fire ended up being minor.

Firefighters say the source was a fan box in the attic of a storage room.

But smoke filled the hall, so residents were sent to a safe place in the parking lot.

Officials report that three of them were taken to the hospital with heat-related injuries, but were later released.

Chief Ainsworth said both professionals and volunteers did an exceptional job.

“I would like to give the staff of Athens Place Assisted Living credit for the phenomenal job they did evacuating the residents as fire units arrived. Many of the residents could not self-evacuate. The residents are blessed to have such amazing caregivers. They not only took care of the residents, but they worked hand in hand with us. The staff at Athens Place Assisted Living was prepared and did an awesome job. The outcome in this situation could not have been any better.”