For more information contact:

Gary Whisenand, Fire Division Chief

City of Murrieta

951-304-3473

Smoke Investigation at Rancho Springs Medical Center Leads to Evacuations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Murrieta – Seventeen Murrieta Firefighters responded to a report of smoke in patient rooms at Rancho Springs Medical Center this afternoon, prompting hospital officials to evacuate a small number of patients to secure areas.  The call was reported at 4:45 p.m. and responding units arrived on scene four minutes later to find two patient rooms and a loading dock area filled with smoke. 

A thorough investigation of the area revealed no fire and it is believed the smoke came from a motorized component in the ventilation system.  The motor was shut down and the smoke dissipated.  Hospital maintenance staff responded and two engine companies remain on scene to fully determine the cause of the smoke.  There was no fire at any time during this incident. 

Hospital staff acted quickly in evacuating six patient rooms, including the two that experienced smoke conditions and no patients were in the affected area when fire personnel arrived.