Fire outside Brandon hospital
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Winnipeg Free Press subscription for only
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $4.99 a X percent off the regular rate.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
A fire broke out outside the emergency unit of the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday afternoon, prompting a temporary halt to access at the emergency entrance.
The Sun observed smoke near the emergency unit of the hospital around 1 p.m. when visiting the site.
The Brandon firefighters were called to the scene in the afternoon, fire chief Terry Parlow told the Sun later on Sunday afternoon.
Smoke is shown near the entrance of the emergency unit of the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, around 1 p.m. Brandon fire chief Terry Parlow says the fire outside the building was quickly put out and it wasn’t suspicious. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
“There was a fire on the outside of the building, and it was immediately extinguished,” Parlow said. “Some smoke did enter the building through the vents, but it was isolated to the crawl space and immediate area next to where the fire occurred.”
Parlow said no patients or staff were evacuated, though access to the emergency room was briefly stopped as a precaution because of the fire’s proximity. “The fire was not inside the structure,” he said. “The main concern was ensuring there was no rekindling, and working with hospital engineering staff to clear the smoke that entered the basement and crawl space.”
An individual who was in the hospital cafeteria at the time told the Sun that an internal alarm went off and a “code red basement” was announced over the public address system.
Officers were on site to assist with traffic and crowd control, Brandon Police Service staff sergeant Russ Paterson told the Sun.
“I know the fire inspectors were there, and they said it was non-suspicious, but I don’t have further details,” Paterson said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Parlow stressed that while investigators are still working to determine what led to the blaze, it doesn’t appear suspicious.
Despite the incident, hospital operations continued, though emergency patients were temporarily diverted from using the affected entrance. Parlow said the quick response helped minimize disruption. “We’re fortunate that Brandon Fire and emergency services were on the scene very quickly,” he said.
By late afternoon, the situation had been resolved, and traffic in the area, including along McTavish Avenue. which police had earlier advised residents to avoid on social media, had returned to normal.
Prairie Mountain Health did not issue any public statements about the incident on its social media platforms.
» aodutola@brandonsun.com, with reports from Matt Goerzen
» X: @AbiolaOdutola