More than 400 nursing home patients are waiting to return to their rooms after an early morning fire.
It’s suspected that smoking ignited a mattress fire on the sixth floor of the Lydia Health Care Center, 13901 Lydia Avenue, in Robbins at 1.a.m. Monday, Robbins Fire Chief Charles Lloyd Jr. told the Chicago Tribune.
The sprinkler system went off adding to the smoke damage. The building was closed and residents were transported to a temporary facility.
Lloyd said three nursing home residents and one employee went to the hospital for smoke inhalation, but the injuries didn’t appear life-threatening.
Hundreds of patients are expected to stay at the Robbins Community Center, 13800 Trumbull Ave., until later Monday afternoon, said Gerry Holmes, an American Red Cross of Greater Chicago spokesman.
The Red Cross is providing nursing home patients food and blankets, according to a release from the organization.
