EXETER, N.H. — Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire was evacuated Friday morning and extra ambulances were called in after reports of an odor in the emergency room, according to the local firefighters' union.
New Hampshire One reports employees were asked to leave the hospital around 11:30 a.m. when police and other first responders were called.
Due to the evacuation of Exeter Hospital's ER, we are recommending residents seek alternate emergency facilities for treatment.
— Exeter Police Dept (@ExeterNHPD) August 11, 2017
The Exeter firefighters union tweeted crews were called to the scene for an "unknown odor" in the emergency room.
According to a spokesperson for the hospital, five staff members began showing symptoms like dizziness around 8:30 Friday morning.
#BREAKING News conference on Exeter NH hospital incident -spokesperson for hospital
Posted by Evan White III on Friday, August 11, 2017
The number of patients increased to about 20 as the morning went on and the emergency department and operating room were closed out an "abundance of caution," Deb Vasapoli told Boston 25 News.
Officials say they have not been able to find the source of what is making people sick at the hospital. Some of the patients were transferred to other hospitals in the area.
According to Vasapoli, the only people affected by the symptoms were staff members and they were all from the operating room.
Cause of issue that's making people sick under investigation. Operating room closed out of caution per hospital #Exeter @boston25
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) August 11, 2017
Emergency crews were initially called to Exeter Hospital for an odor investigation. Now described as "mass casualty" incident. @UnionLeader pic.twitter.com/NBicZWyrja
— Jason Schreiber (@Schreibernews) August 11, 2017
Multiple ambulances lined up outside ER at Exeter Hospital for incident with 20+ patients that began as odor investigation. @UnionLeader pic.twitter.com/aBAAsqk9hc
— Jason Schreiber (@Schreibernews) August 11, 2017
Boston 25 Live StreamExeter Hospital evacuated after reports of unknown odor in emergency room, patients being treated on front lawn.
Posted by Boston 25 News on Friday, August 11, 2017
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