LOWER SACKVILLE: A boiler issue was the cause of the closure at Cobequid Community Health Centre on Thursday morning.
The hospital reopened at noon after being forced to close for several hours after the incident earlier in the morning.
Halifax Firefighters responded to the hospital in Lower Sackville at 6:42 a.m..
Upon arrival, they found multiple zones in alarm with heavy smoke conditions present, and the call was immediately upgraded to a structure fire response, Halifax Professional Fire Fighters said in a Facebook post.
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Fire fighters determined the smoke was originating from a mechanical/boiler room where extremely high levels of toxic gases were present.
A hose line was deployed before entry was made into the affected space. Crews safely isolated the source and then ventilated the facility.
Fire officials determined one of the facility’s boilers was burning fuel inefficiently due to incomplete combustion, causing smoke to circulate throughout the building.
There was no actual fire.
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Patients with blood collection appointments were told to go to Bayers Road blood collection for the morning.
Those with afternoon appointments were advised they could return to Cobequid.
N.S. Health said for diagnostic imaging appointments, patients will be contacted by staff to provide direction.
The situation was brought under control and firefighters cleared the scene around 8:15 a.m.
