Clearwater- No one was injured but the Helmcken Memorial hospital in Clearwater was evacuated Saturday night at 9.00pm.

 

Several agencies were called into action shortly before 9:00 p.m. on June 26 after a fire was reported at the Doctor Helmcken Memorial Hospital and Health Center in Clearwater. The fire erupted in an outbuilding near the large propane tanks. Hospital staff quickly began evacuating patients.

 

 

Police along with BC Ambulance attended and assisted with evacuation of both patients and residences in the area. Included in the evacuation was the nearby seniors' home.

 

Twenty residential care clients and patients were taken from the hospital site to the high school where a temporary reception center was sent up. Numerous agencies assisted during the incident including; Clearwater Fire Department, BC Ambulance, Provincial Emergency Program, the TNRD, Wells Gray Search and Rescue, District of Clearwater, Argo Road Maintenance and Emergency Social Services.

 

The fire is not suspicious and involves the propane system. After the fire was put out a propane technician attended and declared the area safe. Patients were moved back into the hospital shortly after 11:00 p.m. There was no damage to the Dr Helmcken site.