A hotline number, 778-2163, has been created for Franklin Health Medical Arts Center patients to check on
the status of their appointments this week.
FARMINGTON — A fire in the attic of Franklin Health Medical Arts Center early Saturday morning caused more than $1 million in damages and brought 92 firefighters from seven towns out in subzero temperatures, authorities said.
The 58,000-square-foot building, connected by a long hallway to Franklin Memorial Hospital, opened in 2008 and houses five medical practices.
Farmington Fire and Rescue was called at 5:57 a.m. Saturday for a report of a fire in the attic, Deputy Chief Clyde Ross said. The building sustained extensive damage to the attic and trusses, mostly in the wing housing the urology, general surgery and pediatrics offices, Ross said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation Saturday by a State Fire Marshal investigator.
“The fire does not impact Franklin Memorial Hospital operations and an evacuation was not necessary,” FMH President and CEO Rebecca Ryder said in a prepared statement.
Heavy smoke could be seen escaping from holes punched in the roof to vent the smoke, but firefighters battled flames inside the attic, Ross said.
Water ran from the attic to the basement, causing extensive damage, Ross said. The total will depend on how much insulation in the walls has to be torn out to keep it from being contaminated, he said. “Then there’s the expense of medical equipment and computers within the offices.”
Architects and contractors came to the scene to assess damage to the structure. Some firefighters stayed until after 1 p.m. clearing as much smoke and water from the building as they could.
While the urology, general surgery and pediatric wing was most affected by water and smoke damage, the other wing containing women’s care, including the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center and orthopaedics, received mostly smoke damage, Ross said.
“The good news is the sprinkler system did its job until the firemen could get there,” said Gerald Cayer, chief operating officer of FMH and vice president of Franklin Health Community Network, the hospital’s parent corporation.
By mid-morning, a team from the Health Network was busy making plans to continue operation of the medical practices, which include nearly 20 doctors and other staff. The building will be closed for at least a week, and the affected wing may be closed longer.
A hotline number, 778-2163, has been created for patients to check on the status of their appointments this week. The medical and mammography services will be relocated.
To deal with the temporary impact of moving practices, “we’ll have to be creative,” Cayer said. He expected plans to be more complete by Sunday.
Assessment of damages to the utilities and infrastructure, and the cleanup process, were to begin as soon as firefighters were out of the building, Cayer said.
Firefighters from Farmington, Wilton, Jay, Temple, Chesterville, New Sharon and Industry were called to the fire, Ross said.
Firefighters punch holes in the roof around the chimney of the
Franklin Health Medical Arts Center in Farmington on Saturday to vent
heavy smoke. An early-morning fire in the attic of the two-year-old
building next to Franklin Memorial Hospital caused an estimated $1
million-plus in damages.
Firefighters punch holes in the roof around the chimney of the
Franklin Health Medical Arts Center in Farmington on Saturday to vent
heavy smoke. An early-morning fire in the attic of the two-year-old
building next to Franklin Memorial Hospital caused an estimated $1
million-plus in damages.
Firefighters punch holes in the roof around the chimney of the
Franklin Health Medical Arts Center in Farmington on Saturday to vent
heavy smoke, through which the rising sun is reflected. An early-morning fire in the attic of the two-year-old
building next to Franklin Memorial Hospital caused an estimated $1
million-plus in damages.
Firefighters punch holes in the roof around the chimney of the
Franklin Health Medical Arts Center in Farmington on Saturday to vent
heavy smoke, as the rising sun reflects off the windows. An early-morning fire in the attic of the two-year-old
building next to Franklin Memorial Hospital caused an estimated $1
million-plus in damages.
A hotline number, 779-2163, has been created for Franklin Health Medical Arts Center patients to check on the status of their appointments this week.
FARMINGTON — A fire in the attic of Franklin Health Medical Arts Center early Saturday morning caused more than $1 million in damages and brought 92 firefighters from seven towns out in subzero temperatures, authorities said.
The 58,000-square-foot building, connected by a long hallway to Franklin Memorial Hospital, opened in 2008 and houses five medical practices.
Farmington Fire and Rescue was called at 5:57 a.m. Saturday for a report of a fire in the attic, Deputy Chief Clyde Ross said. The building sustained extensive damage to the attic and trusses, mostly in the wing housing the urology, general surgery and pediatrics offices, Ross said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation Saturday by a State Fire Marshal investigator.
“The fire does not impact Franklin Memorial Hospital operations and an evacuation was not necessary,” FMH President and CEO Rebecca Ryder said in a prepared statement.
Heavy smoke could be seen escaping from holes punched in the roof to vent the smoke, but firefighters battled flames inside the attic, Ross said.
Water ran from the attic to the basement, causing extensive damage, Ross said. The total will depend on how much insulation in the walls has to be torn out to keep it from being contaminated, he said. “Then there’s the expense of medical equipment and computers within the offices.”
Architects and contractors came to the scene to assess damage to the structure. Some firefighters stayed until after 1 p.m. clearing as much smoke and water from the building as they could.
While the urology, general surgery and pediatric wing was most affected by water and smoke damage, the other wing containing women’s care, including the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center and orthopaedics, received mostly smoke damage, Ross said.
“The good news is the sprinkler system did its job until the firemen could get there,” said Gerald Cayer, chief operating officer of FMH and vice president of Franklin Health Community Network, the hospital’s parent corporation.
By mid-morning, a team from the Health Network was busy making plans to continue operation of the medical practices, which include nearly 20 doctors and other staff. The building will be closed for at least a week, and the affected wing may be closed longer.
A hotline number, 778-2163, has been created for patients to check on the status of their appointments this week. The medical and mammography services will be relocated.
To deal with the temporary impact of moving practices, “we’ll have to be creative,” Cayer said. He expected plans to be more complete by Sunday.
Assessment of damages to the utilities and infrastructure, and the cleanup process, were to begin as soon as firefighters were out of the building, Cayer said.
Firefighters from Farmington, Wilton, Jay, Temple, Chesterville, New Sharon and Industry were called to the fire, Ross said.
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