A fire at a Montesano long-term care facility displaced 77 patients and drew a coordinated response from regional firefighters on Wednesday.
Staff and neighbors evacuated all patients from the Montesano Health and Rehabilitation facility, according to the Montesano Police Department. Crews responded to the blaze at about 5:30 p.m. after receiving calls from the facility and neighbors.
A Montesano Fire Department engine arrived on scene at 5:36 p.m. to find heavy smoke and flames emanating from the roof at the north end of the building, per MPD. About 50 firefighters responded to the blaze from regional agencies, including Thurston County.
Together, firefighters got the blaze under control in just under three hours, according to MPD. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
The coordinated effort came about because the Washington State Fire Marshall's Office authorized a state mobilization. Ambulance teams from Pierce, Thurston and Pacific counties were also dispatched to help care for and transport patients.
Most patients were transported to Montesano Junior High School on buses from the Montesano School District and Grays Harbor Transit, according to MPD.
Police reported no injuries. However, two patients were transported to regional hospitals to receive higher level care.
The regional Disaster Medical Coordination Center has started working on finding other space at other facilities for the displaced patients, per MPD.
The facility cares patients who are recovering from injuries or surgery as well as those receiving end of life care.
