8 treated after smoke fills hallway in nursing center

4/8/2005

GREEN SPRINGS, Ohio - Eight people were treated for smoke inhalation after an air-conditioning unit malfunctioned at the St. Francis Health Care Centre, a facility official said yesterday.

Green Springs Fire Chief Greg Lowe said a short in the wall unit in a second-floor room caused a hallway to fill with smoke Wednesday night.

Green Springs firefighters and EMS crews from several area departments were sent to the nursing facility about 10:40 p.m. Chief Lowe said damage was minimal. No damage estimate was available.

"Things turned out real good," the chief said. "It could have been a lot worse."

Jean Smith, director of business development for St. Francis, said staff members evacuated residents from the affected floor and quickly isolated the wing from the rest of the building. She said three staff members and five patients were treated at hospitals in Bellevue, Fremont, and Tiffin.