Fire forces evacuation of assisted living facility

A fire forced the evacuation of approximately 50 people from a high-rise apartment building on the 900 block of North 7th Street this morning.

Capt. Dennis Marrigan said the fire started in a sixth-floor bathroom of Ascension Manor II, an assisted-living facility in Northern Liberties.

Three engines and three ladder companies responded to the fire, he said. No serious injuries were reported.

The fire was brought under control quickly, but is still under investigation.

Resident Galina Kiselenko, 71, was evacuated to the building parking lot in her wheelchair.

"I live on the sixth floor," she said. "A woman knock-knock-knocked. I stand up and go."

Mabel E. Townes, 87, was initially relocated to the facility's community room on the first floor, but went outside for some fresh air.

"I know they told us to get out and that's what I did," she said.