Crews battle 2-alarm fire at Tacoma assisted living facility
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TACOMA, Wash. -- Firefighters helped 150 elderly residents out of an assisted living facility after the building's kitchen was engulfed by fire early Tuesday.
Eight of the residents were taken to a hospital to be treated for respiratory problems, according to fire department officials.
The fire broke out just after 6 a.m. at Life Manor Assisted Living at 1601 South Union Avenue.
Firefighters arrived to find smoke from the kitchen fire creeping into the halls and residence areas.
Jim Molin was in his 6th floor unit when he woke up to the fire alarm and saw the kitchen building on fire.
"I opened the window very quickly and saw the kitchen fire area fully involved," Molin said.
Some residents climbed down the fire escape to get out, Molin said, but for those unable to get out on their own, firefighters carried them to safety.
"There's a lot of people who were immobile who had to be carried out," said Richard Grautas, who lives in the center.
That made fighting the fire even more difficult.
"When you have to divide your resources to move patients as well, it becomes a big challenge," said Jim Zuluaga with the Tacoma Fire Department.
Everyone was taken into a gymnasium at the nearby Life Center Church, where they were given food and warm drinks.
"Just very grateful that I and my neighbors were able to evacuate," Molin said.
Officials said they are looking for temporary housing for all 150 residents while they air out and repair the building.
The kitchen and dining area were destroyed in the fire, but the cause was not known.
Eight of the residents were taken to a hospital to be treated for respiratory problems, according to fire department officials.
The fire broke out just after 6 a.m. at Life Manor Assisted Living at 1601 South Union Avenue.
Firefighters arrived to find smoke from the kitchen fire creeping into the halls and residence areas.
Jim Molin was in his 6th floor unit when he woke up to the fire alarm and saw the kitchen building on fire.
"I opened the window very quickly and saw the kitchen fire area fully involved," Molin said.
Some residents climbed down the fire escape to get out, Molin said, but for those unable to get out on their own, firefighters carried them to safety.
"There's a lot of people who were immobile who had to be carried out," said Richard Grautas, who lives in the center.
That made fighting the fire even more difficult.
"When you have to divide your resources to move patients as well, it becomes a big challenge," said Jim Zuluaga with the Tacoma Fire Department.
Everyone was taken into a gymnasium at the nearby Life Center Church, where they were given food and warm drinks.
"Just very grateful that I and my neighbors were able to evacuate," Molin said.
Officials said they are looking for temporary housing for all 150 residents while they air out and repair the building.
The kitchen and dining area were destroyed in the fire, but the cause was not known.
What, no negative comments regarding lazy, overpaid firefighters?!?! Could it be that firefighters have used this same building multiple times the past years putting together plans of rescue and fire tactics? Hours of drilling and practicing for what they hope never happens, yet when it does the scene is well orchestrated with minimal damage! Nice job Tacoma Fire and shame on the pro-layoff folks tha believe our firefighters are overpaid and lazy.
Ooooh that could have been a waaay worse story. Why do we even CONSIDER laying these guys off? Why do we even scoff at the slightest tax increase that would keep these guys and the ambulances in place?? I bet a lot of people would change their mind if their granny's were in there last night.
I hope the city reconsiders laying off Firefighters or closing certain stations............
@2ndstartothenorth I hope so too ... HOWEVER.. IT WILL TAKE A MEMBER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA GOVERNMENT TO GET A REPONSE THEY ARENT HAPPY WITH FOR ANYTHING TO CHANGE ..........
Good job Firefighters
Good job to the Tacoma Fire Department but I would like to Thank the Ambulance that had to transport everyone to tempory living arrangements
 @ride30 And all the staff that were alert and quick in getting those residents out safely.
It's not the kitchen, it's the activity room
This could have turned out much worse.
Good job Tacoma Fire Dept! I hope the residents are able to get settled again soon.
AWESOME JOB TACOMA FIREÂ ... YOU GUYS ROCK!!
KOMO, can you please be more specific than a Tacoma assisted living facility.
 @PacMan It does help if you actually read the article
 @PacMan Hi, the name of the facility is in the second line of the story: "Life Manor Assisted Living."
 @KevinC  @PacMan Thank you Kevin, when I wrote this post, they failed to mention any specifics. just a picture and a couple of short paragraphs about a fire at some assisted living facility.
 @KevinC  @PacMan And the church would be Life Center
good work firefighters!
Good thing everyone is OK and that they were able to shelter at a nearby church. This is why they practice those monthly fire drills. Good work to everyone who kept those people safe.