Naperville nursing home residents safe after fire

A fire at a Naperville nursing home this morning drew an extensive response but didn't cause any injuries or displace any residents of Meadowbrook Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation center, authorities said.

The fire began a little after 6 a.m. at 720 Raymond Drive, where firefighters spent 2½ hours extinguishing it and making sure it had not spread, according to a news release from the Naperville Fire Department.

After an alarm went off at the city's dispatch center alerting of a problem at Meadowbrook Manor, the first responders on scene reported smoke coming from the roof of the three-story building and a light haze of smoke inside the top floor.

Third-story residents were moved to a safer area inside the building while firefighters checked for fire in hidden areas and open spaces. At 6:52 a.m., crews called in reinforcements because of the high heat and humidity to continue investigating any remaining hot spots.

While the fire was extinguished in 90 minutes, crews stayed for another hour removing smoke with portable fans and helping move residents to unaffected areas.

Authorities determined the source of the fire was the inside of a dryer exhaust ventilation system that extended from the top of the building through the roof. They deemed its cause accidental.

Flames affected roofing material around the vent and caused moderate damage to the third-story ceiling and offices. But inspectors from the city's transportation, engineering and development department determined the nursing home to be habitable.

Firefighters from Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Lisle-Woodridge, Plainfield and Warrenville assisted, with chiefs from four of those departments also arriving at the scene.