Bayonet Point Hospital Evacuated After Fire

HUDSON, FL — Patients at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point hospital were being evacuated Wednesday evening following an electrical fire that knocked out the facility's power.

As of 8:30 p.m., about 20 patients were being evacuated by Pasco County Fire Rescue, the county wrote in an email to media. A statewide request for mutual aid has been issued, however, since there are a total of 290 patients inside who may need to be evacuated to other facilities, the email said.

The fire at the 14000 Fivay Road hospital in Hudson broke out in the generator room, the county said. It was isolated to wiring.

Hospital engineers and Withlacoochee Electric are on the scene, the county noted.

As for the evacuation, the county said 40 ambulances are on the way from as far away as Orange County were responding. About 20 of those ambulances were on scene just before 9 p.m. Wednesday.

"Critical patients are being evacuated first," the county noted.

The hospital issued a statement via Facebook Wednesday evening:

This evening we experienced an electrical problem at RMCBP causing a power outage. Critical patients (those in the ICU and on vents) have been moved to other hospitals. We are working to restore power and other patients will be moved if needed. A phone # is being established for families of patients . More information will be shared as soon as possible

Around 9:40 p.m. the hospital issued an update that said no patients or staff were hurt in the fire. Twelve patients who were in critical condition had been transferred to other hospitals in the area. Each patient was accompanied by a nurse or doctor, the hospital said.

The hospital is also releasing patients who can be discharged.

A number has been set up for families to call to get information about reuniting with patients. The number is 1-877-344-1313, Option 9.

No further information is available at this time. No injuries have been reported.

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