Explosion, Fire At Senior Facility Prompts Evacuation Of 112 Residents

Bowie MD

14 June, 2022

3:36 PM

Description

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — More than 100 residents at a senior care facility had to evacuate Tuesday in the early morning hours after a kitchen explosion set off a fire. No injuries were reported. The Prince George's County Fire Department was called to Larkin Chase Senior Nursing Home, 15005 Health Center Drive, at approximately 3:40 a.m. Firefighters discovered smoke and fire coming from the kitchen, fire officials said. The explosion blew out the back wall of the senior center's kitchen, leaving behind a shell of a wall with cinder blocks and bricks scattered around. The Prince George's County Fire Department, District of Columbia Fire Department, Montgomery County Fire Department and Anne Arundel County Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded with a mutual aid effort to evacuate senior patients off-site while the Prince George's County Fire Department and Bowie Police Department secured the scene. "The majority of the back wall was blown out. There were some dumpsters near that back wall area that were blown out probably 20 to 30 feet from the building itself," Deputy Fire Chief Tony Hughes told News4. "A partial roof collapse as well." Left without power and air conditioning, 112 residents had to be relocated to other facilities in the area. The city of Bowie shared Tuesday afternoon that all patients have received their medication and have been fed while. Numerous relatives arrived at a Bowie gymnasium when they heard what had happened, wanting to check on their loved ones as they arrived at the gym by ambulance and bus. "I'm extremely nervous and I really would like to know if he's okay," Shellie Ferguson, the niece of a resident, told News4. A family reunification center has been established at the Bowie Senior Center at 14900 Health Center Drive. Families looking for information on the status or location of their relatives may call the Senior Center at 301-809-2300. Family members may also contact Larkin Chase Center directly at 301-805-6070. The center and gym will reopen to the public tomorrow, according to city leaders.