Two-Alarm Fire Forces Evacuation At Green Acres Nursing And Rehab In La Plata, One Hospitalized

Two-Alarm Fire Forces Evacuation At La Plata Nursing Facility — Photo courtesy of Charles County Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

LA PLATA, Md. — A two-alarm fire at Green Acres Nursing and Rehab in La Plata early Friday morning prompted a large evacuation, a mass-casualty response and the temporary relocation of residents as firefighters worked to contain the blaze and clear smoke from the building.

The fire was reported around 4:10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at Green Acres Nursing and Rehab in the 10200 block of La Plata Road.

Initial reports indicated fire coming from the rear and roof area of the building while staff worked to evacuate residents.

Firefighters arriving at the scene reported fire on the rear, or C side, of the structure, along with heavy smoke conditions.

Around 4:24 a.m., command requested a second alarm as crews continued assisting with evacuations. A mass-casualty assignment was also initiated because of the number of residents being moved and evaluated.

A staging area was established nearby, and a bus was requested to provide temporary shelter for displaced residents.

By approximately 4:33 a.m., firefighters reported the visible fire had been knocked down and was possibly extinguished. Command reported the fire under control moments later while crews continued checking rooms and dealing with smoke throughout the building.

Heavy smoke was reported in the 300 wing and on the third floor, where law enforcement and firefighters assisted with evacuations.

At one point, approximately 31 residents had been moved to the main lobby while additional rooms were checked.

Crews later reported that all rooms had been searched and all residents and staff were accounted for.

One patient, described as a 71-year-old man, was evaluated for a head injury and leg abrasion and transported by ambulance to UM Charles Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Fire and EMS crews remained on scene removing smoke from the building and assisting residents as they were relocated to safe areas.

Officials reported that no residents or staff remained in danger and that all occupants were safe.

The fire was reported contained and extinguished by approximately 5:23 a.m.

SMECO and the Office of the State Fire Marshal were requested to respond.

The cause of the fire was not immediately available and remains under investigation.