Fire at UK Good Samaritan Hospital results in evacuation, transfer of critical patients

A fire at the University of Kentucky Good Samaritan Hospital Thursday afternoon caused the evacuation of one floor and the transfer of multiple patients, according to the university and Lexington Fire Department.

The fire at the hospital on South Limestone was reported around 12:27 p.m. Derek Roberts with the fire department said crews were originally responding to a report of a fire alarm, but firefighters found the sprinkler system activated when they arrived and upgraded the incident to a structure fire.

Firefighters continued investigating and found a slight haze coming from a mechanical room on the ground floor, which prompted more crews to respond. Roberts said the fire was extinguished and no injuries have been reported.

The ground floor was evacuated while firefighters controlled the fire, according to the university. Roberts said some critical patients were transported to UK Chandler Hospital. New emergency room patients are being diverted to UK Chandler Hospital as well.

“All patients are safe and being cared for,” the university said in a post on X.

The fire started due to electrical failure of parts of the power system and some of the backup system, according to Roberts. The university said other critical functions of the hospital are operational and work is being done to repair water damage on the ground floor.