Oxygen concentrator sparks fire, forces evacuation of Joplin nursing home residents

More than 100 residents were evacuated from a Joplin nursing home Thursday morning after an oxygen concentrator malfunctioned and caused a small fire.

Firefighters responded at 10:31 a.m. to Westgate at Wildwood, 3130 S. John Duffy Drive.

The first crew arrived within three minutes and found smoke inside as employees evacuated residents.

Firefighters traced the smoke to an electrical malfunction involving an oxygen concentrator in a resident’s room.

The fire was extinguished. No residents or employees were injured.

One employee was evaluated by medical personnel but declined transportation.

The Joplin Fire Department praised nursing home employees for acting quickly and helping keep residents safe.