Two residents taken to the hospital after fire at a Peoria assisted living facility

PEORIA, Ill. — Quick action by staff members at a Peoria assisted living facility kept a fire from turning into something much worse Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters headed to Bickford House Assisted Living on Willow Knolls Drive around 3:45 p.m. for a reported appliance fire. Before crews arrived, staff put out the flames using a fire extinguisher and evacuated residents from the affected area.

Two residents were taken to the hospital for evaluation — one after falling during the evacuation and another for possible smoke inhalation. Both were expected to be treated and released. No firefighters were injured. 

Crews cleared smoke from the building and confirmed the fire was accidental. Damage is estimated at around $1,000.