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Dozens of residents moved following nursing home fire in Mandarin

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than 30 people were forced out of their rooms at a nursing home in Mandarin after smoke was detected from an air conditioning unit Thursday morning.

Staff at the Terrace of Jacksonville spent the day cleaning up damage caused by the smoke coming from that AC unit.

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“We did smell smoke but we didn’t see anything,” said Misty DeGross, the administrator of the nursing home.

DeGross said the nursing home has a sensor inside the building that detected smoke.

That’s when staff called the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and began moving all 32 of their patients from one side of the building to the other side safely.

DeGross said everyone was moved quickly thanks to an emergency management plan they have in place.

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"Fortunately all of our patients did extremely well. They didn’t miss a beat, there was no injuries, no indents, nothing at all,” DeGross said.

Staff said the smoke started from the duct work of the AC unit located on the roof and they also say the air quality was tested by JFRD to make sure it’s safe.

They say that’s especially important since there are elderly patients that could have breathing issues.

Cleaning and maintenance crews were called out early to remove all the debris left over so people could return to their rooms.