24 patients evacuated, surgeries rescheduled after fire at Boston hospital

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Boston Medical Center-Brighton evacuated 24 patients and rescheduled some procedures after a fire knocked out power to parts of the building April 15, ABC affiliate WCVB5 reported.

The fire began in the electrical room at 1:30 a.m. and disabled a generator. The fire was contained and extinguished in about an hour, and no one was injured.

However, power was unavailable in some areas of the hospital, leading to 24 patients, including two emergency room patients, being evacuated. Some patients were taken to Boston Medical Center’s main campus while others were transferred to nearby hospitals, according to NBC affiliate 10 Boston. Boston Fire and EMS aided hospital staff in the evacuation, which was still continuing as of 8 a.m.

“All patients are safe here at the hospital,” Boston Medical Center-Brighton President Paul Smith told The Boston Globe. “While we have stable generator power, out of an abundance of caution, we are transferring some patients, including ICU patients, to other hospitals, including Boston Medical Center’s main campus, for continuity of care,” the hospital said.

The hospital has also closed its outpatient clinic, rescheduled planned elective procedures for the day and has put the ED on diversion.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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