Scores Evacuated, 1 Hospitalized In Assisted Living Facility Fire

ANTIOCH, TN -- An air conditioner sparked a blaze forcing the evacuation of nearly 100 seniors at an Antioch assisted-living facility late Monday.

Nashville Fire crews arrived at The Bridge at Hickory Woods near Murfreesboro Pike around 10:30 p.m. and saw flames ripping through the facility's second floor. Investigators say an air conditioner caught fire with flames quickly spreading through the room and smoke filling the hallway.

The smoke became so thick that some of the residents stayed in their rooms until firefighters were able to assist them.

"At first it was a little panicked, but once our people got inside and started corralling them and calming everybody down, the evacuation actually went pretty easy," District Chief Martin Hampton told NewsChannel 5.

Fire damage was contained to just the one room, but sprinklers caused water damage throughout the building. One person was hospitalized with minor smoke inhalation and is expected to recover.

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