Fire forces UPMC Lock Haven Hospital evacuation
Patients taken to 'secure area'
Trending
LOCK HAVEN - UPMC Lock Haven Hospital on Cree Drive was evacuated Thursday night, with patients taken to a safe area after fire broke out in the boiler room about 9 p.m.
A hospital spokesman said maintenance crews were working at the boiler room earlier today sealing an old passageway, but the sealant being used apparently had some sort of chemical reaction and started a fire.
That's the belief, anyway, but an investigation will further determine the cause, said Tyler Wagner, UPMC spokesman.
Citizens Hose Fire Chief Norm Wolfrom told The Express that firefighters encountered flames upon arrival.
More units were called due to the intensity of the smoke, he said.
Ultimately, more than a dozen units responded as firefighters and hospital staff moved all patients out and "into a secure, safe area" away from the fire or smoke, Wagner told The Express.
Roads around the hospital were closed as fire trucks arrived.
No injuries were reported.