News

Sixty patients moved to safety after fire breaks out at Pardee

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 15, 2022

Around 60 patients were moved to other locations after a fire broke out on two floors of Pardee UNC Health on Friday afternoon.

When the Hendersonville Fire Department responded to the call at 2:46 p.m. flames were visible on the second and third floors of the hospital. The fire was controlled at approximately 3:33 p.m. All patients are safe. Patients have been relocated to other areas of the hospital. By 4 p.m. fire department was in the process of removing smoke from the building and assisting hospital staff.

Sixty patients were safely relocated, with 19 behavioral health patients relocated to an offsite location, Pardee confirmed. Because of the incident, Pardee's emergency department was temporarily on a diversion. No injuries were reported among patients, hospital personnel or first responders.

In addition to the Hendersonville Fire Department, first responders on the scene included Valley Hill, Mountain Home and Blue Ridge fire & Rescue while Dana Fire & Rescue covered their calls.

"EMS and the Rescue Squad were working closely with the fire department and Pardee relocating patients," city spokeswoman Allison Justus said.

In addition, Henderson police, the sheriff's office and the State Highway Patrol "were critical in helping secure the area and diverting traffic," Justus said. "It was a great collaborative effort. I would just highlight the great way in which Pardee's emergency response team coordinated with emergency responders. It just seemed to go very well and fortunately everyone was safe. It was a real quick response, too. There were flames on the second and third floor" when firefighters arrived.