Massive Fire Destroys Pennsylvania Senior Living Facility: Video

WEST CHESTER, PA -- A massive fire at the Barclay Friends Senior Living Community in West Chester injured at least 27 people and displaced around 140 residents late Thursday night, authorities said. The fire, which reached five alarms at one point, prompted a massive response and took hours to tame.

At a press conference at 3 p.m. Friday, authorities would not say if anyone remained missing or if there had been any fatalities in the blaze, which broke out shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday at the North Franklin Street facility.

"We're working to get a solid fix on all of the residents," said Don Robinson, Special Agent in Charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) which is heading up the response to the incident. "It's all still very chaotic."

The fire was still burning in certain places late Friday afternoon, and investigators have not yet declared it safe to enter the rubble which the destructive blaze left behind.

A multi-agency team including explosive specialists, electrical engineers, certified fire investigators, chemists, and borough officials will look into the cause of the fire, Robinson said.

Officials reiterated that they do not yet know the cause of the fire and that nothing should be read into the ATF leading the investigation. An update on the investigation will be provided on Monday, authorities said.

Crews first arrived on scene at 10:26 p.m. on Friday. As firefighters battled the blaze, police and neighbors banded together to rescue the senior residents of the home. One firefighter went so far into the blaze that his helmet started to melt, according to Bobby Kagel, the Director of Chester County Emergency Services.

The rescued seniors, many of whom were unable to walk, were then displaced outside in the cold. Those residents were then transported to various shelters via ambulances and school buses, State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) said.

Most of those residents have since been placed at nearby care centers, including Pennbrook, Wellington, Pocopson, Crosslands, BrynMawr Rehab, and Bellingham, Dinniman added.

A total of 27 residents were admitted to three area hospitals after the blaze. Of those, 17 remained in care Friday afternoon, but all are in good condition, officials said.

About 40 Barclay seniors were taken to the American Red Cross Shelter at West Chester University in Ehinger Gym in the immediate wake of the fire, university officials said. All of those seniors have since been relocated.

Authorities estimated 160 residents and staff were in the building when the fire began. All told, more than 400 first responders were on the scene into the daylight hours Friday morning.

"I'm very proud of how our community has pulled together," said West Chester Mayor Jordan Norley. "We're not used to dealing with this level of catastrophe here in West Chester."

The fire was brought under control at 1:22 a.m., fire officials confirmed.

The blaze was confined to the assisted care portion of the facility, which was razed to the ground. Other buildings in the complex remained standing.

Local leaders took to social media to speak about the incident on Friday morning.

"Earlier this year, I hosted a town hall with residents of Barclay Friends," U.S. Congressman Ryan Costello (R PA-6) said in a statement. "Last evening, a terrible fire occurred there, and my hope is that everyone is okay. I continue to pray for everyone involved, including residents, staff, and family, as well as the first responders who are working to keep everyone safe."

Former West Chester mayor and current State Rep. Carolyn Comitta (D-156) also expressed her support.

"My heart goes out to all of the staff, family members and residents of our beloved Barclay Friends," she wrote on Facebook. "The loving and generous West Chester Community holds you all close in our thoughts and we stand ready to assist in the weeks to come."

West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino, meanwhile, praised the coordinated response between university public safety and the borough's emergency response teams.

"It is important to know that all of our University officers responded without hesitation to the needs of our community and helped evacuate those seniors at Barclay who could not escape the fire on their own," he said. "This was truly an outstanding job."

Police ask anyone who responded to assist a displaced relative should contact (610) 436-1352 to ensure emergency personnel have current and up-to-date information. Family members with questions should go to Goodwill Fire Company 552 E. Union Street, West Chester.

West Chester police added that while the outpouring of community support was appreciated, there is no need for donations at this time.

The Goodwill Fire Company was joined by the First West Chester Fire Co. Engine 51, Goshen Fire Company, Phoenixville Fire Department, Berwyn Fire Company, and crews from across Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware counties at the scene.

Video from the scene shows a raging blaze engulfing entire buildings:

Photo credit: Pete Bannan/Daily Local News via AP; WPVI-TV via AP