Chris Johnson / WFAA-TV

As many as 40 seniors were displaced as a result of the fire.

Nursing Home Fire

Chris Flanagan reports

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DALLAS — Dozens of Dallas firefighters helped evacuate part of a North Dallas nursing home Monday morning after a smoky fire triggered by burning popcorn broke out in one of the rooms.

The three-alarm fire was reported shortly before 8 a.m. Monday at the Treemont Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, 5550 Harvest Hill Road, near the intersection of the Dallas North Tollway and LBJ Freeway.

The first units to arrive reported smoke showing from the second floor of the brick building that was built in 1974.

The source of the fire was traced to popcorn that started burning after it had been left too long in a microwave oven. The occupant of that room was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in stable condition.

"It was just very scary," said Sandra Hewitt, a resident of the facility. "The smoke was all through the hall, so we knew that it wasn't just a drill."

Hewitt said that she and others who were more ambulatory than some residents began knocking on doors to make sure everyone got out safely.

As many as 80 fire department personnel were dispatched to help with the evacuations.

"Some of these people have oxygen bottles; some of these people have to be brought out by bed or stretcher," said Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans. "Had there been more fire, we might have had a lot of issues getting the people out who weren't quite as mobile as others."

There are 200 residents in the building where the fire broke out; between 20 and 40 had to be evacuated to chairs and blankets outside. They were later taken to another part of the complex until alternative housing could be arranged.

Evans said no serious injuries were reported, although there were a few residents treated for smoke inhalation or just being afraid.

Hewitt said she was glad that residents practiced for circumstances like this. "I'm a firm believer in the drills," she said.