A fire broke out near the MRI room at the Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center in Boston. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities reported. The fire department promptly responded, evacuating affected areas and extinguishing the fire. After clearing the building, people were allowed to re-enter, except for the MRI suite, which remained closed.
The Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center said in a statement that it was rescheduling appointments as needed. MRI appointments were also being rescheduled. The facility had at least two other MRI locations in addition to the affected suite. Nearby areas were evacuated and effects on their operations are being evaluated.
The cause of the fire is being reviewed, however a CBS News report noted that welding was taking place near the location of the fire.
Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 10 am local time when witnesses noticed a fire outside. The blaze was considered a 2 alarm fire by the local fire department, a measure of the seriousness of the emergency.
The Jamaica Plain VA Medical center is part of a system of hospitals run by the U.S. Department of Veterans affairs in Boston, providing primary care and specialty services to military veterans.
