Power outage causes problems for St. Margaret’s Hospital

If you were wondering why the fire department was at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley, it all began with a power outage.

Spring Valley Fire Chief Todd Bogatitius says they were called to the hospital Tuesday afternoon after a computer server went down and created a burning smell. He says a backup generator kicked on and created hot spots along a vent leading from the generator to the roof. He says the west side of the hospital had to be evacuated and the walls opened up to reach the hot spots.

Spring Valley fire received assistance from Peru and Ladd Fire Departments, 10/33 Ambulance and the Spring Valley Police Department.

The power outage also affected the hospital’s telephone service. A hospital official says patients were relocated to an area served by a second generator.