Fire breaks out on Jefferson Hospital roof

The blaze was accidentally sparked by construction workers, and some smoke got inside the facility.

Emergency crews responded to a construction-related fire on the roof at AHN Jefferson Hospital Tuesday morning.

According to Allegheny County 911, the incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. All patients and staff were safe, but three people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Allegheny Health Network Strategic Communications Advisor Nikki Buccina said in a statement that the fire was small — causing some smoke to enter the upper floors of the hospital through its air handling system.

“While smoke impacted some floors, patient care areas were not significantly affected, and no patients were evacuated,” Buccina said. “As a precautionary measure, the hospital is diverting patients from its emergency department temporarily. Patients will be diverted to other emergency departments based on EMS discretion and acuity of case.”

The affected floors of the hospital were being ventilated to clear any remaining smoke, according to Buccina. The hospital was no longer diverting emergency room patients as of around 3 p.m. Tuesday, and all normal hospital operations have resumed.

“Penn Highlands Mon Valley is prepared to help a fellow hospital to provide care to the community,” said Corinne Laboon, system communications manager at Penn Highlands Healthcare.

Penn Highlands Mon Valley is the closest hospital to Jefferson, according to Laboon, who said they received one patient as of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday who would normally go to Jefferson’s emergency department.

Due to the severity of the situation, a third alarm was sounded to bring in more personnel to combat the flames, according to Allegheny County 911. Individuals on the premises were instructed to remain indoors for safety.

In anticipation of potential evacuations, a mass casualty incident was announced to ensure that adequate EMS resources were available, according to Allegheny County 911.

Buccina said the blaze was quickly contained by local fire crews, which included Jefferson Hills Fire Department and Pleasant Hills, along with mutual aid partners from Allegheny County Airport, Brentwood, Dravosburg, Duquesne, Elrama, Elizabeth, Elizabeth Township, Homestead, Gallatin Sunnyside, Rostraver Central, Glassport, West Mifflin, Whitehall, Broughton, Munhall, Port Vue, Blaine Hill, Collinsburg and Westmoreland City, according to Allegheny County South Fire 3.

Rostraver Central Fire Department posted on Facebook stating that it assisted Jefferson Hills Fire-Rescue with a Fire-Commercial-3A at the hospital. The tower was cleared to provide a station fill for JHFR for the remainder of the incident.