ZELIENOPLE — Several staff members at Passavant Retirement Community were recognized for their “heroic” efforts during a December fire.

Six night shift workers at the community were given letters of commendation Thursday morning by the Harmony Fire District after extinguishing a fire at New Haven Court early on the morning of Dec. 14 and evacuating residents “efficiently and professionally.” No injuries were reported.

Fire Chief Scott Garing said their actions allowed firefighters to “immediately tend to the fire incident” and stop its spread.

“Due to the quick actions of the facility staff, a potential tragedy was avoided,” Garing said in the letter.

The staff members recognized were: Josie Powell, resident coordinator; Meghan Glass, resident coordinator; Felicia Houston, resident coordinator; Ed Rice, maintenance technician; Denis Toney, floor care specialist; and Patti Polonchak, clinical coordinator.

The fire started after a power supply for an electrical device in an apartment bedroom malfunctioned. A resident was sleeping at the time, but she made her way out. About 50 residents were moved to the lobby behind fire doors.

The apartment and one below it sustained water damage from sprinklers; however Garing said the damage could have been much worse.

“You were the most important factor in the equation,” he said to the staff members. “Without hesitation, the staff members acted according to the facilities emergency action plan.”

Community officials also offered praise to workers and firefighters.

“I’ve said this numerous times over the course of that night, you guys are heroes,” executive director Laura Roy said. “It could have been a lot different.”

“It was what you guys did in the first few seconds that made the difference,” said Richard Drozynski, director of facilities.