Juneau, Alaska-based Bartlett Regional Hospital evacuated some patients and staff and canceled surgeries after a fire broke out in a utility closet in the operating area.
The fire began around 1:46 p.m. when a hospital worker who was investigating a leaky pipe accidentally cut into electrical heat tape, a hospital spokesperson told the Juneau Independent. The hospital evacuated patients and staff in the surgical services unit, and an evacuation of all hospital patients, staff and visitors was put in motion, but the full evacuation was quickly canceled. The Fire Department responded within minutes and the hospital received the “all clear” by 3:40 p.m., according to an April 16 hospital news release.
Outpatient units were vacated and elective surgeries were canceled for the remainder of April 16 and all day April 17. However, all other hospital services have remained open.
The worker who cut into the tape was treated and released from the emergency department, but there were no injuries among patients, visitors or staff, the release said.
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