Fifty-one residents of an assisted living facility in South Richmond were evacuated late last night after smoke was reported in the building.

Firefighters were called to Ruxton at Westover Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center in the 4400 block of Forest Hill Ave. shortly after 10:30 p.m., said Richmond Fire Battalion Chief Ramon Hardy.

The source of the smoke was a malfunctioning exhaust fan in a small room of the building, he said.

Firefighters helped residents, many of whom were in wheelchairs, to return to the building around 11:15 p.m. No injuries or medical concerns were reported.

Several blocks of Forest Hill Avenue were closed to traffic during the event. Hardy said eight pieces of equipment, two battalion chiefs, a safety officer and a fire investigator responded.