Sarnia Fire Rescue Services is crediting nursing staff at Bluewater Health for acting quickly when a fire sparked at the Norman Street building on Wednesday evening.
Bluewater Health said a small fire occurred on a clinical unit at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Four stations responded, but when firefighters arrived, they found nurses had already evacuated the affected ward and extinguished the fire.
"The quick, selfless actions of staff at Bluewater Health minimized injury and confined fire damage to a single room," read a media release issued at 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
A patient and three nurses were treated for smoke exposure and released. No firefighters were injured.
“I want to sincerely thank our staff for their swift, skilled, and professional response,” said Bluewater Health President and CEO Paula Reaume-Zimmer. “Their actions ensured the safety of patients and colleagues and are a strong reflection of our commitment to high-quality care.”
A damage estimate was not immediately available, but hospital officials said the damage was minimal.
Bluewater Health said all staff are doing well, and care delivery has continued with minimal disruption.
The cause of the fire is being investigated, and the Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified.
