On December 14, 1989 at 0214 hours, a fire alarm was recevived by the Roanoke County Fire Dispatch Center from the Shenandoah Retirement Home Center. This is a 6 1/2-story masonry building housing 175 elderly persons. Many of the occupants require canes and walkers for mobility. The second floor of this home is licensed by the state as an adult care center for some 48 persons requiring custodial supervision. On December 14 the building was occupied by 135 residents and three staff members. The building actually houses more than this number, but several were visiting family members or were in the hospital.