TEMPLE (November 20, 2009)—What turned out to be a small fire in a laundry room at an assisted living facility produced a multiple-alarm response Thursday night in Temple because of concerns about the threat to the residents.

The fire was reported just before 7:15 p.m. Thursday at the Garden Estates Retirement and Assisted Living Facility at 5320 Loop 205 in Temple.

The first crew to arrive reported smoke coming from the 120-apartment building, which prompted the decision to dispatch additional personnel.

Ultimately 33 firefighters were sent to the scene.

The fire started in a clothes dryer and staff members attempted to use a fire extinguisher before a sprinkler in the laundry room discharged and doused the flames, officials said.

About 50 residents were evacuated from apartments and moved to a downstairs area where other residents were attending a variety show.

None of the residents was displaced.

The last unit left the facility just after 9 p.m.