1 dead, 19 injured in fire at North Carolina nursing home
Last Updated: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 | 5:31 AM ET
The Associated Press
A fire at a North Carolina nursing home killed one person and injured 19, authorities said early Tuesday.
The fire, which occurred just after 10 p.m. Monday at Davie Place Residential Care in Mocksville was first reported to authorities as an explosion.
However, Beth Dirks, assistant county manager for Davie County, said that was not immediately confirmed.
Of the 19 injured, four were in critical condition, Dirks said. The injured were sent to area hospitals while others were taken to Hilltop Assisted Living in nearby Davidson County, she said.
In addition to the residents who were injured, two police officers were treated for smoke inhalation, she said.
About 50 residents were in the home when the fire broke out, along with staff members, she said. No staff members were injured.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
"We're getting ready to conduct an investigation," Dirks said, adding that local authorities were waiting for the State Bureau of Investigation to arrive to handle that investigation.
Dirks was uncertain about the amount of damage to the building but said it was still standing.
