UPDATE: Merritt hospital reopens after evacuation

Merritt's hospital reopened this afternoon after being evacuated due to a suspected gas leak.

"Air sensor alarms in the site were triggered by gas coming out of a sewage drain of a bathroom at about 10:15 a.m.," according to a statement from Interior Health issued today June 17.

"Our priority was to ensure existing patients and staff were safe so the site was evacuated. Ten patients were transferred to alternate locations temporarily."

The gas smell came from a blocked pipe and a reaction of drain cleaning fluid being used in the pipe, the health authority said.

The building has been ventilated and both Merritt Fire Department and Fortis B.C. confirmed the air is free of any gases of concern. There were no injuries reported during the incident.

The hospital reopened at 3:30 p.m.

— This story was updated at 4:02 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2022, to say the hospital has reopened.

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