Dozens of patients and staff were evacuated from a Pennsylvania hospital on Wednesday night as a fire tore through the facility, sending flames shooting from the roof.
The blaze at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City was called in around 9:40 p.m. and drew a massive emergency response.
Officials said the fire began in an older medical building formerly known as Scranton Orthopedics before moving toward the main hospital. Photos from the scene showed billowing flames and smoke overtaking the orthopedic center.
Dickson City Fire Chief Richard Chowanec said the flames were doused about a half hour later, but crews remained on the scene for several hours putting out hotspots. While the fire did not make its way inside the main section of the hospital, the building suffered extensive smoke and water damage.
A total of 77 patients were evacuated and transported to different area hospitals, but no injuries were reported.
“Thank you to every first responder running toward danger to help their fellow Pennsylvanians,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a social media post Wednesday night, noting that several state agencies responded to the scene.
“I’m beyond grateful for our incredible first responders who literally ran into a burning building, evacuated every single patient and staff member, and contained the fire,” Shapiro added in a Thursday morning update.
State police and the department of health remain at the hospital and are investigating the cause of the fire.
Dickson City is located about six miles north of Scranton in Lackawanna County.
