Rouyn-Noranda Hospital evacuated due to fire

Hôpital de Rouyn-Noranda was evacuated due to a fire on July 15, 2025. (CISSS Abitibi-Temiscamingue)

The Rouyn-Noranda Hospital had to be evacuated due to a fire that broke out on Monday evening on the second floor of the building. No one was injured.

Firefighters were called to the fire at around 10:15 p.m. on Monday, said Stéphane Royer, director of the Rouyn-Noranda Fire Department.

Due to the ventilation system, smoke spread throughout the hospital, resulting in the complete evacuation of the building.

Fire department investigators determined that the fire was caused accidentally, Royer said. It reportedly started in a cart used to transport medication, which has a power source.

In a social media post published around 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue reported that the fire was under control.

“Users have been relocated, they are safe and receiving the care they need,” wrote the CISSS. “The families of hospitalized patients will be contacted. In the meantime, please do not come to the hospital or try to reach the operator to speak to loved ones.”

The CISSS advises that in the event of an emergency, people can go to the hospital’s emergency room entrance or call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, citizens are asked to wait until the emergency room reopens.

- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 15, 2025.