The Ocala Fire Rescue received a call about a fire at the hospital around 7 p.m. on April 23. While driving to the hospital, the fire crew received another call about a second fire. Firefighters found three fires: one at a coffee station on the fifth floor and two fires in the first-floor men’s and women’s restrooms. The fires were put out with extinguishers.
“All the fires … were contained to the area of origin. Very, very small things were burned. There was more smoke than fire,” Ashley Lopez, a spokesperson with Ocala Fire Rescue, told NBC affiliate WESH.
“No one was injured. The hospital continues to maintain normal operations and accept patients,” Trip Farmer, a hospital spokesperson, told Becker’s.
Shortly after, firefighters received reports of two additional fires near the hospital, one behind Rasmussen University and the other behind a home, according to the report.
Police arrested Daniel Holmes, 32, in connection with the fires, according to WESH.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
