Following a fire at Caressant Care on Bonnie Place in St. Thomas, Ontario late Saturday evening, clean-up efforts at the 114-bed nursing home continue.

Residents, who have been impacted by the fire, are receiving care in the adjacent retirement home and nearby nursing home on Mary Bucke as staff work hard to ensure there is minimal disruption to their daily routine. It is anticipated there will be no further displacement of residents.

"Residents' needs are being met by staff, some of whom are coming in on their scheduled day off to do what they can," says Stuart Oakley, Communications and Marketing Manager. "We are making things as normal as possible for all our residents. In fact, a scheduled outing will still take place later in the week. Our staff have been truly remarkable during this difficult situation."

"We are also working closely with authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, to develop an action plan so we can get residents back to their rooms as quickly as possible. We are taking this a day at a time as the investigation and clean up efforts continue."

Community support is greatly appreciated. "We really are humbled by messages of support and offers of aid from the St. Thomas community," Oakley says. "We are so grateful to be part of such a caring and compassionate community in St. Thomas."

Further updates will be provided when available.