Prince Albert hospital CT scanner catches fire

A doctor looks over a CT scan of a brain in this file photo. (AP Photo/Adele Starr)

The Computerized Tomography machine – or CT scanner – at Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert caught fire this morning.

A news release from the Prince Albert Fire Department says staff reported early this morning that smoke and a burning smell was coming from the CT scanner. When fire crews arrived it had already been turned off and the all clear was given by 8:30 a.m.

The Prince Albert Parkland Health Region is working with the manufacturer which sent technician to determine the cause of the fire and what repairs are needed to bring the scanner back into operation. For now, the health region is diverting all emergency CT scans to Saskatoon and is in the process of contacting all elective patients to reschedule appointments.

It isn’t clear how long the machine will be unavailable.

“We thank our staff and the Prince Albert Fire Department for their quick response,” John Piggott, Vice-President Operations said in news release. “No one, including patients, staff or visitors, was injured in the incident. We will also work with those patients who had scheduled CT scans to get new appointments as soon as possible, and appreciate their patience in these circumstances.”

The current CT scan was installed at the Victoria Hospital in 2005.