Hot Water and Heat Restored to UPMC Lock Haven as Fire Investigation Continues
LOCK HAVEN, PA – Temporary boilers have been installed and activated at UPMC Lock Haven. That means heat and hot water service has been restored to the hospital complex, including its adjoining Haven Place.
The hospital’s boiler plant had been taken out of service on Thursday, Sept. 10, the result of a fire in the tunnel linking the boiler building to the hospital complex.
The temporary boilers were activated at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, per word from a UPMC spokesman.
The complete release issued Wednesday:
The compassion and care of UPMC and the Lock Haven community has been on full display since the fire at UPMC Lock Haven on Thursday, Sept. 10. We’re grateful to all of those who’ve contributed to our journey toward restoring services, and we remain committed to our mission of delivering life changing medicine in Lock Haven.
The fire affected the boilers for the entire campus which included hot water and heat for the hospital and Haven Place. Initially, there was a temporary water outage because of the fire operations on the campus. The fire departments were able to restore service quickly. Mobile boilers located in the hospital parking lot were activated at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15, restoring hot water and heat to the facility. While the mobile boilers were being activated, brand new warming units were in place to warm bathing cloths to provide hygiene care for our residents until the hot water is restored. Staff were monitoring the building and temperatures ranging from 71-81 degrees were maintained throughout this event, and we had warming blankets and other alternatives in place should the need arise.
Staff continue to monitor the conditions of the facility, ensuring the safety and comfort of the residents. Additionally, leaders have been communicating updates with residents, family members, and our staff, and all concerns are being addressed.
No residents have needed to be transferred.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
We hope to have an update on extent of damage to the building from the local and state health officials soon so we can share the timeline for reopening services safely at the hospital.
We are taking additional measures to further ensure everyone’s safety as we continue efforts to provide the highest quality care to residents at Haven Place and reopen the hospital.
The spokesman said further updates will be provided as they become available. The hospital and its emergency room remain closed until further notice, while Haven Place continues to provide service to its residents, as it has since last week’s fire.
