Rouyn-Noranda Hospital services disrupted after fire overnight
The fire started around 10:15 p.m. on Monday in a cart on the second floor. An hour later, firefighters extinguished it, but many people were affected by the smoke, said Stéphane Royer, director of fire safety for the City of Rouyn-Noranda.
He said the second floor was severely damaged, but he considers the building to be safe.
Sarah Charbonneau, assistant to the executive director for media relations at the CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue, said 93 patients were staying at the hospital on Monday night.
No injuries were reported. One firefighter suffered from a heatstroke.
The hospital requires cleaning and ventilation work before patients and staff can return.
Patients who were hospitalized were redirected to the local CLSC, the Youville pavilion facing the hospital and the Maison des aînés et alternative de Rouyn-Noranda.
Charbonneau said hospital staff will contact patients if there are cancellations to appointments since many services will be disrupted.
"Throughout the day, there are some services we will be able to confirm will be offered as usual: radiology, laboratories, and respiratory therapy," she said, noting that emergency surgeries are still scheduled.
She is asking people to only go to the hospital entrance if there is an emergency.
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