More Than 70 Patients Evacuated After Fire Breaks Out at Pennsylvania Hospital

A fire erupted on the roof of Lehigh Valley Hospital's outpatient orthopedic area in Dickson City on Wednesday night.

Published: 2/5/2026, 3:47:28 PM EST

More Than 70 Patients Evacuated After Fire Breaks Out at Pennsylvania Hospital — File photo of a fire truck. (Stefani Reynolds /AFP via Getty Images)

Dozens of patients and staff were forced to evacuate a Pennsylvania hospital Wednesday evening after a fire broke out at the facility's outpatient orthopedic area.

Fire crews were dispatched to the Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City near Scranton at around 9:40 p.m., after flames erupted on the roof of the Orthopedic Institute.

"This building was attached to the newly constructed building which became Lehigh Valley Hospital," the Dickson City Fire Department, a 100 percent volunteer-led agency, said. "There was no fire in the hospital building however there is smoke and water damage to the hospital building."

Firefighters managed to contain the large blaze just after 11 p.m.

Local police, emergency first responders, and hospital staff helped evacuate more than 70 patients to nearby facilities, six of whom had been receiving treatment in intensive care.

Geisinger Health, which operates several hospitals across the state, told local ABC-affiliate WNEP-TV that it received 12 patients at its Scranton medical center and one patient at its Wilkes-Barre facility, roughly 30 minutes away.

"As of 8:25 a.m. today, Feb. 5, five patients are in fair condition, four have been treated and released, three patients are in good condition, and one patient is in critical condition," Geisinger said.

State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, who was on the scene, told WVIA that the patients were in shock.

"They just got bolted out of a hospital that is on fire," she said. "This is unprecedented, but there's a calm here ... The patients feel safe. There's no chaos. It's very professional and very calm."

Lehigh Valley Hospital confirmed that all of its staff members, patients, and visitors had been able to safely exit the building and said anyone looking to reunite with loved ones can call the facility's dedicated information line at (610)402‑0498 for assistance.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro expressed gratitude to several agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, for their efforts in battling the blaze and securing the area.

"I’m beyond grateful for our incredible first responders who literally ran into a burning building, evacuated every single patient and staff member, and contained the fire," Shapiro shared.

"PA State Police and Pennsylvania Department of Health will remain onsite to continue supporting local leadership and determine the cause of the fire. Lori and I are holding the entire community in our hearts as they recover and rebuild."

The cause of the fire is currently unknown. The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit is leading the investigation to determine its origin.