Overview
- Flames erupted around 9:40 p.m. on Feb. 4 on the roof of the older Scranton Orthopedics building attached to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Dickson City, and the blaze was contained around 11:15 p.m.
- All patients, staff and visitors were evacuated safely, including 77 patients with six from intensive care; no major injuries were reported, though one firefighter was treated for chest pains.
- The orthopedic structure is considered a total loss with reported collapse in areas, while the main hospital avoided fire but sustained smoke and water damage after power was cut.
- Evacuated patients were transferred to regional facilities; Geisinger received 13 and reported five in fair condition, three in good, one in critical, and four treated and released by Thursday morning.
- The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit is leading the origin-and-cause probe as Lehigh Valley Health Network mitigation teams evaluate damage and plan a safe reopening.