03/12/2026
At approximately 8:04 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Lawrence County 911 received a report of fire visible on an exterior wall of the Wyngate Assisted Living Facility, a 78-bed commercial care facility located on County Road 107 in Rome Township, Lawrence County, Ohio.
Due to the confirmed presence of active fire and the nature of the occupancy, Rome Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched along with automatic aid units from the Proctorville Community Volunteer Fire Department and Chesapeake-Union Township Fire Department. The Gallia County District 11 Fire Department was also requested as a precautionary measure given the size and type of the structure.
Prior to the arrival of fire apparatus, Wyngate staff acted quickly, using portable fire extinguishers to attack visible flames on the exterior of the building. Within approximately eight minutes, fire units from multiple departments arrived on scene and began their investigation. Upon arrival, the majority of the visible fire appeared to have been knocked down. Crews began removing vinyl siding and exterior sheathing, which revealed fire extension into the structure.
As a precaution, fire department incident command ordered the relocation of all residents and staff to the furthest wing away from the area being investigated. Wyngate staff responded swiftly and relocated all residents safely. Fire crews then conducted thorough checks for extension in the attic and then crawl space, where additional fire and heavy smoke conditions were found and extinguished.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but appears to have originated in a mulched landscaping area adjacent to a patio on the rear of the building.
Once the structure was deemed safe by fire department incident command and facility maintenance staff, Wyngate began returning residents to their rooms and resumed normal operations. All units cleared the scene at approximately 9:35 PM.
No injuries to residents, staff, or emergency responders were reported. Damage to the structure is considered minor.
Tonight’s incident is a strong reminder of the critical role that automatic aid agreements play in the volunteer fire service. A 78-bed assisted living facility presents challenges that no single volunteer department can safely manage alone — the need for rapid manpower, specialized search capabilities, and patient relocation support demands a coordinated, multi-agency response from the moment of dispatch. Because automatic aid resources were activated immediately rather than waiting for a mutual aid request from the scene, additional apparatus and personnel were already en route before the first unit arrived. That early commitment of resources made a direct impact on the outcome tonight. The seamless coordination between responding fire departments, Lawrence County 911, Lawrence County EMS, and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office reflects the strength of the partnerships our agencies have built and the professionalism of every individual who responded.
Responding Agencies:
Rome Volunteer Fire Department
Lawrence County 911
Lawrence County EMS
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office
Proctorville Community Volunteer Fire Department
Chesapeake-Union Township Fire Department
Gallia County District 11 Fire Department
