NICU evacuated due to fire at Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital
Lafayette firefighters responded to Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital, on 1214 Coolidge Street Wednesday evening on reports of a fire.
According to the Lafayette Fire Department, staff in the NICU noticed a light haze of smoke in the unit and called 911 immediately. The nurses and staff quickly moved the babies to another unit.
Firefighters entered the NICU and discovered the smoke coming from the ceiling space. It was quickly determined a small section on the roof was burning. Emergency crews extinguished the fire within minutes. First responders set up ventilation fans to exhaust the light smoke and smell.
Fire officials determined a roofing company was repairing the roof and the repair process required the use of a heating torch. The heat from the torch ignited combustible material. The fire smoldered beneath the surface and eventually flared.
The cause of the fire was ruled an accident.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: NICU evacuated due to fire at Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital
