A two-alarm fire tore through a five-story commercial building that includes an assisted living facility in Fort Worth yesterday, forcing a large evacuation and sending at least one resident to the hospital for smoke inhalation, officials said. Thick smoke spread through parts of the complex as firefighters hustled to move residents and staff out of danger. Crews had the blaze listed under control about an hour after they first arrived.
According to WFAA, Fort Worth Fire Department units were dispatched to the 3200 block of Sondra Drive around 11:30 a.m. as reports of smoke and flames came in from the building. The incident was quickly upgraded to a two-alarm fire while crews worked their way inside. By about 12:20 p.m., the department listed the fire as under control, although multiple units stayed on scene to overhaul the area and ventilate the building.
Evacuation and Injuries
The Fort Worth Fire Department said in a press release that firefighters escorted residents to a safe staging area outside while they dealt with heavy smoke inside the structure. At one point, multiple crews had to briefly pull back because of intense smoke conditions before pushing in again. At least one resident was transported for smoke inhalation, and officials said no other injuries were immediately reported.
Assisted Living Readiness
Events like this are a reminder that evacuating older adults is rarely simple. Mobility challenges, medical equipment and the need for close supervision can make every minute count in an emergency. Those concerns have been front and center at the state level, where lawmakers in Austin have discussed requiring backup generators and stronger emergency plans for assisted living and nursing facilities after recent storms, as reported by The Texas Tribune.
Recent Local Fires Highlight Risks
Fort Worth has seen several multi-alarm fires in recent years that tested evacuation efforts and put pressure on temporary shelter options. One of the most notable was the Cooper Apartments blaze that displaced hundreds last summer. Recovery work there showed how quickly local government and nonprofit partners can mobilize to help residents find short-term housing and longer-term support, according to the Fort Worth Report…