UPDATED 11:10 A.M.
PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria Fire crews were called to UnityPoint Proctor Hospital around 5 a.m. Thursday on reports of a fire alarm going off.
Fire Battalion Chief Steve Rada says when crews arrived, they found heavy, thick smoke in the first floor hallway with security in the building saying that there was a fire in the kitchen.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the kitchen area and found that the majority of the fire was already out.
Multiple fire companies reported to the scene to assist with sheltering patients and staff in place, as well as providing ventilation to get smoke out of the building.
Smoke spread throughout the second, third and fourth floors which created the need for additional resources and coordination of efforts to provide safety to those in the building.
Crews were on scene for over an hour and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The fire investigator was called to the scene, the health department was notified and no injuries were reported.
Unity Point Proctor remains open, as the fire was contained to the kitchen area.
More details, including the cause of the fire are expected later from the Peoria Fire Department.
“UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois would like to thank the team members and first responders who helped contain a small fire inside the cafeteria at Proctor Hospital early this morning. The health and safety of our patients and team members remains our highest priority and we are thankful this was confined to an area of the kitchen with minimal disruption to patient care and no injuries. While the cafeteria is currently closed to visitors, there are no disruptions to patient meal services. Proctor Hospital is open and ready to care for our community.” — UnityPoint Health-Central Illinois statement
