Massive Emergency Operation Underway After Blaze Engulfs Roof Of Pennsylvania Hospital

Last Updated:February 05, 2026, 23:26 IST

A fire at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City led to the evacuation of over 70 patients. Emergency crews, including Geisinger staff, responded swiftly.

Emergency crews battled a fire and safely evacuated dozens of patients from a hospital in northeastern Pennsylvania after a blaze broke out late Wednesday night, officials said. No injuries were reported.

The fire started at around 9:40 pm at the Lehigh Valley Hospital campus in Dickson City. Fire officials said the blaze originated on the roof of an older building formerly known as Scranton Orthopedics, and not inside the main hospital structure attached to it. Smoke and water damage were reported at the site.

More than 70 patients were evacuated and transported to hospitals and care facilities across the region. Authorities said all available emergency medical services within a 50-mile radius were mobilised to assist in the large-scale evacuation.

Several patients were taken to facilities operated by Geisinger, including 12 who were moved to Geisinger Community Medical Center and one to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, according to spokesperson Richard Mattei. By Thursday morning, five patients were listed in fair condition, three in good condition, one in critical condition, and four had been treated and released. It was not immediately clear whether their conditions were linked to the fire.

Fire Chief Richard Chowanec said the initial alarm was quickly upgraded to bring in additional firefighting and emergency resources. Police from across the Mid Valley area, hospital staff and EMS personnel had already begun evacuating patients by the time firefighters arrived.

“All patients, staff and visitors were safely evacuated," a hospital spokesperson said, adding that emergency responders remained on the scene into early Thursday.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said on X that state police, the emergency management agency and the health department responded to the incident. “Thank you to every first responder running toward danger to help their fellow Pennsylvanians," he said, adding that he and his wife were praying for the patients, staff and the community.

U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan Jr., whose district includes Dickson City, also praised first responders, describing their actions as swift and professional.

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