Fire just after 7 am today ravaged the historic St Joseph Mercy Hospital.
The administrative section of the stately wooden building was completely destroyed but other important sections that included the wards and operating theatre were spared.
Thick grey smoke began issuing from the central portion of the hospital shortly before 7 am and in a matter of minutes the aged wooden structure was engulfed.
Nurses ran helter-skelter to evacuate patients in wheelchairs, in beds and with IV tubes attached. There were screams from staffers and others on the scene trying to ensure that all patients were evacuated. Thus far there have been no reports of any casualties.
