Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City fire: 77 patients evacuated safely
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Feb 05, 2026, 21:55 IST
A devastating blaze swept through Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City on February 4, 2026, igniting from the rooftop and leading to the swift evacuation of 77 patients. Emergency personnel tirelessly battled the flames throughout the night, successfully relocating all patients to nearby facilities. The orthopedic wing suffered extensive damage, and an investigation is underway to determine the fire's origins.
Authorities continued to investigate a fire at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City on Thursday morning, February 5, 2026, after flames shot from the roof and necessitated the evacuation of 77 patients. The fire, which began around 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, resulted in no reported injuries, according to Dickson City Fire Chief Richard Chowanec. The extent of the damage to the hospital was not immediately clear, but the orthopedic section of the building sustained heavy fire and appears to be a total loss, with the third and fourth floors experiencing smoke damage.
Patients were relocated to other area hospitals, with Lackawanna County Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Taylor confirming that all patients were evacuated and moved. First responders worked through the night to manage hot spots and transport patients. The evacuation involved moving patients in wheelchairs, on stretchers, or walking with assistance to an adjacent building at 316 Main Ave. in Dickson City. Temperatures dipped into single digits, and patients were wrapped in hospital blankets during the relocation.
Emergency vehicles, including ambulances from Citywide Animal Clinic and additional emergency vehicles, filled Main Avenue. Fire crews sprayed water onto the upper floors of the hospital as patients were loaded onto ambulances. A lane was cleared for traffic heading toward the Interstate 81 interchange. County of Lackawanna Transit System buses were also present, with an official directing families to them.
Commonwealth Health’s Regional Hospital of Scranton was prepared to receive transferred patients, though they had not yet confirmed specific arrivals late Wednesday. At least three utility vehicles were on scene, including a worker in a bucket truck. Patients were triaged, with critical patients transported first to hospitals across the region. A medevac was also at the scene, continuing patient transport past midnight.
Geisinger confirmed that its hospitals were caring for patients from the Dickson City incident. As of Thursday morning, 12 patients had been transferred to Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton and one to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Twp. Of these 13 patients, five were in fair condition, three in good condition, one in critical condition, and four had been treated and released. Lehigh Valley Health Network stated they were reaching out to families regarding patient locations and provided a contact number for inquiries.
Dickson City Fire Chief Richard Chowanec commended the coordinated efforts of police, fire, EMA, and hospital staff for the swift and safe evacuation. He noted it was too early to determine when patients could return to the hospital. Fire, police, and EMS crews from Blakely, Throop, Eynon, Chinchilla, Moosic, Moscow, Justus, and Greater Pittston responded to the scene, with off-shift employees also assisting. Ambulances, including a Lehigh Valley Health Network medevac, arrived at Geisinger Community Medical Center and Regional Hospital of Scranton throughout the night and early morning to deliver patients.
State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., confirmed late Wednesday that all patients had been safely removed from the hospital. Kosierowski, a registered nurse, was at the scene and praised the healthcare workers for their actions in evacuating, stabilizing, and ensuring the safety of the patients.
“It is not short of a miracle that no one was injured and that the patients are safe,” Kosierowski stated.
She added, “I was really impressed with the coordination and the calmness of (the response), but that’s what these people train to do. That’s who they are. Again, I can’t say it enough, we are so blessed with the workforce we have here and the camaraderie of care. And I watched it live.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro indicated on social media that state police, the state’s emergency management agency, and the state Department of Health were providing assistance with patient evacuation and area security.
“Thank you to every first responder running toward danger to help their fellow Pennsylvanians. Lori and I are praying for the staff, patients, their families, and the entire community tonight,” Shapiro wrote.
U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-8, Dallas Twp., expressed his thoughts on social media for those affected by the fire.
“My thoughts are with the patients, staff, first responders, and families affected by the fire at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Dickson City,” Bresnahan said.
He also stated, “I am traveling back from Washington, and my team and I will continue to closely monitor the situation and support local officials as they respond.”
The Dickson City hospital site was originally developed by Coordinated Health, which broke ground in January 2019 after acquiring Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists in 2017. Construction stalled and resumed after Lehigh Valley Health Network acquired Coordinated Health in December 2019. Plans for an expanded hospital were announced in October 2020. This project marked Lehigh Valley Health Network's initial significant presence in Lackawanna County. The hospital opened in May 2022 with a 19-bay emergency room, filling a void left by Mid Valley Hospital's elimination of inpatient services and its emergency room in 2014. In June 2023, the facility added seven ICU beds and nine new medical-surgical beds. Lehigh Valley Health Network and Jefferson Health completed a merger in 2024.
Patients were relocated to other area hospitals, with Lackawanna County Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Taylor confirming that all patients were evacuated and moved. First responders worked through the night to manage hot spots and transport patients. The evacuation involved moving patients in wheelchairs, on stretchers, or walking with assistance to an adjacent building at 316 Main Ave. in Dickson City. Temperatures dipped into single digits, and patients were wrapped in hospital blankets during the relocation.
Emergency vehicles, including ambulances from Citywide Animal Clinic and additional emergency vehicles, filled Main Avenue. Fire crews sprayed water onto the upper floors of the hospital as patients were loaded onto ambulances. A lane was cleared for traffic heading toward the Interstate 81 interchange. County of Lackawanna Transit System buses were also present, with an official directing families to them.
Commonwealth Health’s Regional Hospital of Scranton was prepared to receive transferred patients, though they had not yet confirmed specific arrivals late Wednesday. At least three utility vehicles were on scene, including a worker in a bucket truck. Patients were triaged, with critical patients transported first to hospitals across the region. A medevac was also at the scene, continuing patient transport past midnight.
Geisinger confirmed that its hospitals were caring for patients from the Dickson City incident. As of Thursday morning, 12 patients had been transferred to Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton and one to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Twp. Of these 13 patients, five were in fair condition, three in good condition, one in critical condition, and four had been treated and released. Lehigh Valley Health Network stated they were reaching out to families regarding patient locations and provided a contact number for inquiries.
Dickson City Fire Chief Richard Chowanec commended the coordinated efforts of police, fire, EMA, and hospital staff for the swift and safe evacuation. He noted it was too early to determine when patients could return to the hospital. Fire, police, and EMS crews from Blakely, Throop, Eynon, Chinchilla, Moosic, Moscow, Justus, and Greater Pittston responded to the scene, with off-shift employees also assisting. Ambulances, including a Lehigh Valley Health Network medevac, arrived at Geisinger Community Medical Center and Regional Hospital of Scranton throughout the night and early morning to deliver patients.
State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., confirmed late Wednesday that all patients had been safely removed from the hospital. Kosierowski, a registered nurse, was at the scene and praised the healthcare workers for their actions in evacuating, stabilizing, and ensuring the safety of the patients.
“It is not short of a miracle that no one was injured and that the patients are safe,” Kosierowski stated.
She added, “I was really impressed with the coordination and the calmness of (the response), but that’s what these people train to do. That’s who they are. Again, I can’t say it enough, we are so blessed with the workforce we have here and the camaraderie of care. And I watched it live.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro indicated on social media that state police, the state’s emergency management agency, and the state Department of Health were providing assistance with patient evacuation and area security.
“Thank you to every first responder running toward danger to help their fellow Pennsylvanians. Lori and I are praying for the staff, patients, their families, and the entire community tonight,” Shapiro wrote.
U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-8, Dallas Twp., expressed his thoughts on social media for those affected by the fire.
“My thoughts are with the patients, staff, first responders, and families affected by the fire at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Dickson City,” Bresnahan said.
He also stated, “I am traveling back from Washington, and my team and I will continue to closely monitor the situation and support local officials as they respond.”
The Dickson City hospital site was originally developed by Coordinated Health, which broke ground in January 2019 after acquiring Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists in 2017. Construction stalled and resumed after Lehigh Valley Health Network acquired Coordinated Health in December 2019. Plans for an expanded hospital were announced in October 2020. This project marked Lehigh Valley Health Network's initial significant presence in Lackawanna County. The hospital opened in May 2022 with a 19-bay emergency room, filling a void left by Mid Valley Hospital's elimination of inpatient services and its emergency room in 2014. In June 2023, the facility added seven ICU beds and nine new medical-surgical beds. Lehigh Valley Health Network and Jefferson Health completed a merger in 2024.