DICKSON CITY, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A large fire tore through part of Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City on Wednesday evening, heavily damaging the Orthopedic Institute and forcing the evacuation of the entire hospital building. No injuries were reported among patients, staff, or first responders.
Dickson City Fire Chief Rich Chowanec said the fire was reported around 9:40 p.m. He saw smoke in the air while driving to the scene and called for additional resources before arriving.
When crews reached the campus, flames had already broken through the roof of the Orthopedic Institute’s office area. Firefighters launched an immediate attack while police, EMS, and hospital staff began clearing the building.
All four floors of the hospital, including the emergency room, were evacuated. Chowanec said every person inside the hospital was accounted for and safely removed.
Emergency management teams and EMS oversaw patient placement during the evacuation. Lehigh Valley Hospital’s emergency management team from Allentown responded to the scene and assisted fire command throughout the night.
The main body of fire was knocked down, but crews remained on scene to work through hotspots. The hospital building itself did not experience direct fire damage, though smoke reached the third and fourth floors and the first floor kitchen. The first floor also sustained some water damage.
A three hour firewall separating the Orthopedic Institute from the hospital helped prevent flames from spreading into patient care areas. Utilities to both buildings were shut down as a precaution. Crews planned to restore power as soon as conditions allowed to prevent pipes from freezing.
Hydrants located on the hospital campus allowed firefighters to establish a steady water supply despite freezing temperatures. Multiple departments responded, including Dickson City, Blakely, Throop, Eynon, Olyphant, Chinchilla, and Greenwood. COLTS buses were also requested to assist with emergency operations.
Damage to the Orthopedic Institute appeared significant, and the section of the building where the fire began may be a total loss, according to Chowanec. Lehigh Valley Hospital’s mitigation team will assess the site and determine the next steps for repairs.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and further details will be released at a later time.