A major Pennsylvania hospital fire broke out late on Wednesday night at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City, near Scranton, forcing emergency crews to evacuate patients and staff as flames tore through part of the building.
Officials confirmed that all patients and staff were safely evacuated, with no immediate reports of serious injuries. The fire has raised concerns about hospital safety and disruption to local healthcare services in the area.
The incident happened around six miles north of Scranton, a city in northeastern Pennsylvania, and drew a rapid response from firefighters and state emergency agencies.
What happened during the Pennsylvania hospital fire?
Fire crews rushed to the hospital after reports of a blaze that appeared to spread quickly through part of the facility.
Footage shared online showed flames bursting from the roof, with thick smoke visible above the building. Officials said the fire seemed to affect an area believed to be linked to the hospital’s Orthopaedic Institute.
Emergency responders treated the incident as a major fire, bringing in extra crews to help contain the blaze.
While firefighters worked to stop the spread, hospital staff began moving patients out of the building as quickly and safely as possible.
How many patients were evacuated from the hospital?
Officials confirmed that every patient and member of staff was evacuated safely.
Reports suggested the hospital had around 70 to 80 patients inside at the time, all of whom were relocated to other facilities or temporary safe areas.
DICKSON CITY, PENNSYLVANIA **MULT ALARM** MAIN STREET AT “LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL” (NEAR SCRANTON). HEAVY FIRE IN A HOSPITAL. DEFENSIVE OPS. FIRE BEGAN IN THE ROOF AREA. (702) (CFP Alerts) [CFP*700] 23:27:26 | ALERT ID: 34175 pic.twitter.com/D0L7B35B32
— CAROLINAS FIRE PAGE (@CFPalerts) February 5, 2026
A local representative praised the hospital’s staff and first responders for carrying out the evacuation calmly and professionally under pressure.
What have officials said about the blaze?
Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro publicly thanked emergency crews for their response and said state agencies, including police and health officials, supported the operation.
A local member of Congress also confirmed that patients and staff were safe and described the actions of first responders as swift and well-organised.
Both officials expressed concern for the community and praised those involved for acting quickly. “Thank you to every first responder running toward danger to help their fellow Pennsylvanians.”
What caused the Pennsylvania hospital fire?
As of the latest updates, the cause of the Pennsylvania hospital fire remains unknown.
Fire investigators have not yet confirmed whether the blaze started due to electrical issues, equipment failure, or another source.
Officials have not released details on whether the fire alarm system triggered automatically or whether the hospital experienced a power failure.
Authorities are expected to carry out a full inspection once crews confirm the building is structurally safe.
How will the hospital fire affect local healthcare services?
Even though all patients escaped safely, the damage could still cause serious disruption.
Hospitals are not easy to replace overnight, and even partial closures can put pressure on nearby healthcare facilities. Emergency services may need to divert ambulances to other hospitals, and routine appointments could face delays.
In smaller communities, even one hospital going offline can create a knock-on effect for:
- emergency treatment capacity
- surgery schedules
- outpatient services
- rehabilitation and orthopaedic care
If the Orthopaedic Institute wing suffered major damage, patients needing specialist care could face longer travel times.
Why does this hospital fire matter beyond the US?
While this incident happened in the United States, a major hospital fire always draws attention because hospitals contain some of the most vulnerable people in society.
In the UK, NHS hospitals regularly carry out evacuation drills and follow strict fire safety rules. However, incidents like this highlight a wider concern shared globally: even modern healthcare buildings can still face sudden fire emergencies.
It also shows why emergency preparedness matters, especially in hospitals where:
- Some patients cannot walk
- Oxygen systems are in use
- surgeries and intensive care may be running overnight
