A massive fire that tore through the Orthopedic Institute at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City, Pennsylvania, has left the facility closed as investigators work to determine the cause of the blaze.
The fire, which broke out Wednesday night around 9:40 p.m., prompted the evacuation of 77 patients who were safely transferred to other medical facilities in the region. According to local news reports, firefighters responded to reports of flames on the roof of the building and worked through freezing temperatures to evacuate patients.
"In my 41 years of being a firefighter, I have never been a part of something on this scale," said Rich Chowanec, Fire Chief of Eagle Hose Company No. 1, who called the coordinated emergency response "unheard of."
Drone footage revealed extensive damage to the Orthopedic Institute section of the hospital, with Chief Chowanec describing it as a "total loss." The main hospital building reportedly avoided major damage thanks to a firewall separating the wing from the rest of the facility, though smoke and water damage have been reported throughout.
Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged the emergency response efforts on social media, stating, "Thank you to every first responder running toward danger to help their fellow Pennsylvanians," and noting that Pennsylvania State Police, PEMA, and the Department of Health were on scene helping with evacuations and securing the area.
Jefferson Health, which owns the 4-year-old hospital, issued a statement Thursday indicating the facility will remain closed temporarily "while teams conduct thorough damage assessments and plan for a safe reopening." They've established a dedicated information line (610-402-0498) for family members seeking to reunite with patients.
Patients were distributed to several area hospitals, with Geisinger facilities accepting 13 patients, Wayne Memorial Hospital taking five, and Commonwealth Health hospitals caring for eight. By Thursday afternoon, Geisinger reported that several patients had been treated and released, with conditions ranging from good to serious for those still receiving care.
Local resident Emily Artmont, who lives near the hospital and is a patient at the Orthopedic Institute, expressed her dismay: "It was a good orthopedic, though. It was really good over there. I'm sad it's not there no more."
Dickson City Borough Council President Jeff Kovaleski emphasized the hospital's importance to the community, stating, "They really were a staple for our community down there," and expressed hope that Jefferson Health would rebuild the damaged wing.
Fire crews from multiple communities responded to the blaze, which was brought under control around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday. Cleanup efforts began Thursday with restoration crews arriving with dumpsters, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
No timeline has been provided for when the hospital might reopen as the investigation into the fire's cause continues.