Salmon Arm hospital partially closed after fire

People suffered from smoke inhalation from a fire at Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm last night.

It happened on Level 2 where 19 people had to be evacuated to another part of the hospital, Interior Health said in an email.

“There were no serious injuries; however, there was smoke in the area and two patients required assessment for exposure to smoke inhalation.”

The health authority says there’s minor damage where the fire happened and Level 2 is closed while damage is assessed and the area can be restored.

“We anticipate being able to partially reopen some beds on Level 2 within the next day or two.”

READ MORE: Yet another temporary emergency room closure in Clearwater

No services were impacted and other healthcare centres in the region are supporting Shuswap Lake General Hospital with patient transfers as needed, according to the health authority.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“Interior Health would like to thank the Salmon Arm Fire Department, the RCMP and all staff who quickly came together to assist during the incident.”

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.