Fire Damages Goodwill Group Home In Madison

Nine residents of a Goodwill group home on Northport Drive escaped a fire just before midnight on New Year’s Eve, according to Madison fire officials.

Firefighters arrived at the Goodwill Northport Group Home, located in the 1600 block of Northport Drive, at about 11:45 p.m. on Saturday and saw flames emerging from a first-floor window and heavy smoke billowing from another part of the two-story building. Crews eventually found all the residents had evacuated the building safely, but still conducted a search and rescue, according to a news release.

Eight residents and a live-in counselor were inside the building when the fire broke out. A Madison Metro bus was used to give the residents shelter from the elements as many fled the building while dressed for bed. The American Red Cross also helped the residents with blankets.

No one was injured, officials said.

Investigators said that the fire apparently began in the laundry room. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

The fire caused about $100,000 in damages, fire officials said.

Officials said that the group home residents will be moved to other facilities.