Huge fire sweeps through Pennsylvania retirement home

A massive fire burns at the Barclay Friends Senior Living Community in West Chester, Pa. Photograph: AP

A huge fire has broken out at a senior living community in Pennsylvania.

The blaze was reported just before 11pm Thursday at Barclay Friends Senior Living Community in West Chester, about 35 miles west of Philadelphia.

The emergency services said at least 20 people had been injured.

The fire quickly spread to multiple buildings, forcing residents to evacuate outside into the cold.

News helicopter video showed dozens of residents lining up along the street, wrapped in blankets. Many were in wheelchairs.

The scene of a fire at Barclay Friends Senior Living Community in West Chester. Photograph: AP

WPVI-TV reported that emergency crews were transporting people from the scene.

Philadelphia ABC station, WPVI, reported that all area hospitals have been told to expect patients.

It is unclear what sparked the fire.