Emergency crews were dispatched to a fire at an Ohio nursing home in Macedonia on the afternoon of March 13, 2026, after dispatchers received alerts from the facility’s alarm system and a call from staff reporting an active fire. Employees began evacuating residents as crews were en route, with first responders arriving within minutes of the initial call.
By the time crews arrived, staff had already started moving residents to safety on the south side of the building. Firefighters reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof on the north side, above the kitchen and dining areas. Initial crews entered the building to ensure all occupants had been evacuated, while additional personnel established a water supply and began attacking the fire from above.
High winds contributed to the spread of the flames across the flat roof, where materials such as tar and gravel helped fuel the fire. The blaze was brought under control shortly after crews arrived.
Once the fire was contained and the building cleared, residents were temporarily sheltered in a safe section of the facility. However, due to extensive smoke and water damage, officials later determined the building could not remain operational.
All 92 residents were relocated to other care facilities in the region. No injuries were reported, though one individual was transported to a nearby hospital due to the need for continuous oxygen support.
Fire officials, along with the State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosions Investigations Bureau, are investigating the cause of the fire. Preliminary findings indicate it originated in a rooftop HVAC unit.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Facility staff must be well versed in life safety and emergency preparedness requirements. Facility leaders are responsible for ensuring the Emergency Preparedness Plan and Life Safety Code requirements are reviewed at least annually and updated based on an all-hazards risk assessment. Staff must be trained and able to demonstrate competency in emergency procedures. Building systems, including smoke detection and HVAC components, must be maintained and tested in accordance with Life Safety Code standards. The Emergency Preparedness Plan must be promptly implemented during emergencies and include procedures for evacuation, transport of essential equipment, and secure handling of medications and medical records.
Discussion Points
- Regularly review and update your Emergency Preparedness Plan to reflect current risks, changes in facility layout, and lessons learned from recent incidents. This includes ensuring procedures are in place for total or partial evacuation, secure transport of medical records and medications, and coordination with emergency responders. Facilities may benefit from working with an external consultant to conduct focused mock surveys or policy reviews that help identify gaps in preparedness before an actual emergency occurs.
- Train all staff on your Emergency Preparedness Plan. Conduct drills for the various disaster response plans to ensure staff competency with each. Training should also include recognizing signs of system failures, such as malfunctioning alarms or smoke detectors, and how to respond appropriately. Med-Net Academy offers the course Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Nursing Homes, which reviews key components such as the emergency plan, risk assessment, policies and procedures, and the communication plan.
- Conduct regular environmental and systems audits to verify compliance with Life Safety Code standards. Include checks of smoke detectors, HVAC systems, and alarm functions as part of your routine maintenance schedule. Facilities may also find value in engaging with a consultant to perform periodic mock surveys or targeted assessments based on findings from their QAPI program. Audit results should be documented and used to guide continuous improvement.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, Inc. for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*