Trending Topics

3-alarm fire prompts ICU patient evacuations at Boston hospital

An early morning fire in an electrical room sent smoke through BMC Brighton, forcing firefighters, EMS and hospital staff to evacuate more than two dozen patients

By Todd Prussman
Boston Herald

BOSTON — A fire in an electrical room grew to 3 alarms at BMC Brighton early this morning and resulted in multiple patients being evacuated from the facility, according to fire officials.

Boston firefighters responded to an alarm at BMC Brighton at about 1:30 this morning and struck a 2nd alarm soon after arrival.

After extinguishing the fire, crews deployed multiple fans to disperse heavy smoke in the building.

Firefighters, working with EMS and hospital staff, then assisted in evacuating multiple patients from the hospital’s ICU via stairwells to waiting ambulances. Over 2 dozen patients were evacuated from the hospital, according to fire officials. The evacuation effort was continuing this morning.

Boston Fire’s Chief of Operations Patrick Ellis described the process as “labor-intensive” with each patient being evacuated individually with hospital staff and equipment.

Speaking at the scene this morning, Paul Smith, President of BMC Brighton, said that “all patients” were safe after the early morning fire. All clinical equipment remained powered during the fire response, Smith said.

Smith said the hospital is currently being powered by backup generators as staff review the cause and implications of the fire in the electrical room. Patient evacuations were taking place in the hospital’s stairwells to avoid the possibility of an elevator getting stuck as a result of the power issues.

The hospital said in a statement that “all planned elective procedures and outpatient appointments for today, April 15, 2026, will be rescheduled.”

Some services at the hospital have been impacted. Smith said the hospital has closed ambulatory clinics and and cancelled elective procedures at the hospital while the post-fire assessment continues.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Trending
A state requirement will force ambulance services to install dash cameras, with smaller agencies facing added costs as larger providers say the technology improves safety, training and accountability
A truck crashed into a mixed-use building in Clifton, injuring two people and leaving the damaged structure too unstable to enter
The Chicopee Fire Department’s fire apparatus and reserve rigs will now carry expanded EMS gear to treat respiratory distress, allergic reactions, diabetic emergencies and other critical injuries
Two Billerica paramedics spotted flames at a Lowell home, alerted dispatchers and helped wake residents, allowing all six to escape without injury

©2026 MediaNews Group, Inc.
Visit at bostonherald.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.