The Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City was left with an uncertain future after a fire inflicted severe damage on its Orthopedic Institute. The blaze, which erupted on Wednesday night, led to the temporary closure of the hospital, with officials from Jefferson Health conducting detailed evaluations to determine the extent of the damage and plan for a safe reopening.
According to a statement from Jefferson Health, the evacuation of all patients, staff, and visitors was executed smoothly, thanks to the “professionalism and preparedness of our staff and first responders.” Over 70 individuals were safely relocated to nearby healthcare facilities, ensuring uninterrupted care for patients.
The cause of the fire, which was first reported at approximately 9:40 p.m., is still under investigation. Flames were seen shooting from the roof, illuminating the night sky. Fortunately, the main hospital building was mostly spared from significant damage, with credit given to a firewall that separated it from the Orthopedic Institute, according to Dickson City Fire Chief Rich Chowanec.
Evacuation and Response
Hospital staff efficiently evacuated 77 individuals during the emergency, as confirmed by a Lackawanna County emergency management official. Chief Chowanec reported no injuries, though patients were transferred to hospitals as far afield as Allentown.
Geisinger hospitals played a key role in accommodating displaced patients. Thirteen patients were taken in, with 12 at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton and one at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township. By Thursday afternoon, seven remained in care, with others treated and released.
Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale also accepted five patients, all stable, while Commonwealth Health hospitals, recently acquired by Tenor Health Foundation, cared for eight more patients.
Firefighting Efforts
Drone footage captured the devastation left by the fire at the Orthopedic Institute, revealing a tangled mass of metal. Despite the extensive damage, the hospital’s main entrance appeared unaffected from the front. However, views from the rear showed the true extent of the destruction, described by Chief Chowanec as a total loss.
Firefighters from across the region, including units from Throop, Blakely, Olyphant, Peckville, and Chinchilla, joined the effort to control the blaze. Lt. Xander Oakey of the Eagle Hose Company led one of the first crews on the scene, initially attempting an aggressive interior attack on the flames before switching to defensive operations.
Oakey, who led his team until early Thursday morning, was later treated for high blood pressure. He praised the collaborative response of the firefighting teams, stating, “I think it was a great job done by all.”
Community Impact
Dickson City Borough Council President Jeff Kovaleski reflected on the loss, emphasizing the hospital’s importance to the community. “All the time and effort put into bringing that hospital here… to see it literally go into flames like that was so sad,” he said, expressing hope for the hospital’s reconstruction.
Kovaleski commended the effective emergency response, noting that the pre-existing plan for such an incident worked “very well” and was “almost seamless.”
As the hospital remains closed, Jefferson Health has provided a contact number, 610-402-0498, for family members of patients to receive updates and information.
