The Ely Fire Department responded Tuesday to a call at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, in what was later termed as a “minor smoke incident,” in the laboratory and emergency department areas of the facility.
“There was no fire,” said Dave Marshall, fire chief for the city of Ely.
Marshall said that there “was an overheated bearing in a rooftop recovery unit, basically an air handler.”
“It disseminated smoke, and the hospital’s systems work as the fire alarm detected it and somebody pulled a fire alarm,” said Marshall.
The fire department responded at approximately 6:15 a.m., and the hospital initiated its fire response plan.
Responders found the source of the smoke and Marshall said, “Once we ventilated and reset the alarm system it was back to business as usual.”
An all-clear signal was sent just after 7 a.m.
Throughout the incident, the hospital remained open and there was no impact on patient care.
Out of an abundance of caution, a few radiology appointments were rescheduled, according to a news release issued by EBCH.
“We’re grateful for the quick action of our staff and the outstanding support from local emergency responders,” said Rochelle Sjoberg, chief human resources officer at EBCH. “Their professionalism ensured the safety of our patients, BWCC residents and the community we serve.”
In addition to the Ely Fire Department, neighboring fire departments from Babbitt and Morse-Fall Lake were dispatched, as well as Ely police and ambulance personnel.
“Because it was the hospital, we had Babbitt and Morse rollout for mutual aid,” said Marshall. “But we were able to locate (the smoke) and the hospital staff was great, providing good information to the responding agency.”
