MORGANTON, N.C. — Fire investigators are trying to determine what started a fire at a rehabilitation center in Morganton early Sunday that displaced 92 residents.
Within two hours of getting the first 911 call all dozens were evacuated.
They have been moved to other facilities from Charlotte to the Tennessee line.
There were as many as 200 first responders, law enforcement and transport employees who worked with staff at Grace Heights Health and Rehabilitation to get the patients moved out quickly.
The majority were taken over to the Foothills Higher Education Center and by 10:30 p.m. Sunday, they had been relocated to other facilities.
Firefighters said there was significant damage and that the sprinkler system in the attic was activated.
A few patients were taken to local hospitals to be treated for smoke inhalation and heat-related illnesses.
Channel 9’s Dave Faherty spoke with the Emergency Medical Services director about the efforts to get people to safety and relocate them throughout the night.
“This was a mass movement of probably one of the most vulnerable populations that you could have in a healthcare system,” said director James Robinson, Burke County Emergency Medical Services. “It was over 90 degrees outside, and we had fire suppression activity that was going on. Plus, we have 92 residents of the facility, all with compromised healthcare situations.”
Rita Russ’ husband stays there.
“He said, ‘I’m fine. I’m sitting out here under a tree,’” Russ said. “One of those patients was Rita Russ’ husband.”
Shortly after the fire, 20 of the patients were loaded onto a bus from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and moved them to the Foothills Higher Education Center. Others were taken to local hospitals to be treated for smoke inhalation and heat exposure.
“I was very, very impressed with the way they kept communication going with me,” Russ said. “They called me, told me his location. What they could say, what happened and occurred.”
Shortly after the fire, 20 of the patients were loaded onto a bus from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and moved them to the Foothills Higher Education Center. Others were taken to local hospitals to be treated for smoke inhalation and heat exposure.
“I was very, very impressed with the way they kept communication going with me,” Russ said. “They called me, told me his location. What they could say, what happened and occurred.”
During Grace Heights’ most recent recertification inspection conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services in September 2024, the “facility was found in compliance with the requirements for emergency preparedness”.
The police chief said investigators have ruled out foul play as they search for a cause.
“A significant amount of the building was damaged from smoke. This was primarily up in the attic system,” said Chief Ryan Landers, Morganton Public Safety.
The building has been deemed unsafe. It could be months before repairs are made.
The center is owned by Sanstone Health and Rehabilitation and it posted, “We remain focused on the safety and wellbeing of our residents and families.”
©2025 Cox Media Group
