MANCHESTER, NH – An exterior fire was quickly extinguished at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, located at 100 Hitchcock Way, Friday morning.
According to a report of the incident by District Chief James Michael, the fire was sparked by workmen using a plasma cutter to remove structural steel in the loading dock area. Conducted heat came in contact with a large bird’s nest in the void between brick veneer and the interior finish. Space was exposed from the interior and extinguished by dry chemical agent due to the proximity of high voltage electrical components.
No injuries were reported.
As an outpatient health care facility, the building needed to be evacuated and cleared for an hour. Air monitoring was performed prior to reoccupation. Elliot Hospital was taking cases from Dartmouth Hitchcock to assist with patients during the disruption.
Damage is estimated at $10,000.
