Sprinkler line break sparks Cloverdale patient evacuation

Saturday, January 25, 2014

CLOVERDALE -- Patients at Summerfield Health Care Center, 34 S. Main St., Cloverdale, had to be evacuated Friday after a sprinkler line burst in the ceiling and reportedly caused major water damage at the facility.

Cloverdale Fire Chief Kerry Shepherd said the sprinkler line break caused a section of ceiling to collapse and flooded the south wing of the nursing home with 4-5 inches of water.

The incident occurred at about 6:30 or 7 a.m. Friday, even as fellow Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Department firefighters were on the scene of the Lifespring Christian Church fire north of Greencastle.

Water had to be pumped out of the basement of the facility, the fire chief said, reporting that a crew of six Cloverdale volunteers and a unit from the Cataract Volunteer Fire Department remained on the scene until 2:30 p.m. as patients were all being safely evacuated.

Summerfield patients initially were all moved to an unaffected area within the building located in the heart of Cloverdale, and were later all transferred to other area nursing home facilities, the chief added.

Some were taken to the Millpond Health Campus via a Millpond bus, Shepherd reported, while others were transported by Operation Life ambulance to nearby care facilities. No injuries were reported.

The 43-bed facility is expected to be "closed a little while," Chief Shepherd said, while ceiling repairs are being made and sprinkler lines replaced.

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  • My mother was affected by this. She has been staying at the Waters of Greencastle, however she is to be moved today. As I understand it, all the residents will be moved to one wing of Madison Healthcare in Indianapolis. That way the residents can be reunited with those they are familiar with and see familiar faces. Madison Healthcare is owned by the same company as Summerfield. May the move go safely and without incident and all involved stay warm.

    -- Posted by PamieErman on Thu, Jan 30, 2014, at 2:17 AM
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