Fire at Bartlett Regional Hospital results in operating room evacuation; no serious injuries reported

Scheduled surgeries canceled for Thursday and Friday after fire in utility closet, spokesperson says

A Capital City Fire/Rescue truck and ambulance are seen outside of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, April 16, 2026. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

By Jasz Garrett and Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

This story has been updated with additional information.

A fire in a utility closet in the operating area of Bartlett Regional Hospital resulted in surgical services patients and staff being evacuated, but no serious injuries were reported, according to a hospital spokesperson.

The fire was accidentally ignited at 1:46 p.m. Thursday by a worker in the closet, said Erin Hardin, a Bartlett spokesperson. She said hospital staff was investigating a small leaking pipe in the closet.

"We had a worker who cut into an electrical heat tape inside a utility closet within our surgical services unit that started a small fire that was quickly contained by our staff and by (Capital City Fire/Rescue)," she said. "So our (operating room) patients were evacuated. We have canceled (elective) surgeries for the rest of the day."

After the immediate evacuation of the operating area, the hospital began to evacuate all other patients, staff and visitors as a precaution.

"That was quickly canceled because the fire was responded to so quickly," Hardin said. "We put that in motion and then we didn't need to follow through with that."

The "all clear" was issued for the Code Red alert at 3:40 p.m. An evaluation of the damage within the surgical services unit is ongoing, according to a Bartlett press release.

"The hospital worker who cut into the electrical heat tape was treated and released from the Emergency Department," the press release states. "There were no injuries of patients, visitors, or other staff."

CCFR Chief Tom Hatley said the Bartlett worker had minor injuries and experienced smoke inhalation. He said the fire did not spread outside the maintenance closet.

"Our fire marshal, as far as extent, is still evaluating that," Hatley said. "But there was active fire in the space above that where they cut the wire. It was pretty much contained to that area, but it did create a lot of smoke."

Hatley said CCFR responded within minutes with two fire engines, two trucks, three ambulances, its support unit and all five chief officers.

"We had a really good turnout from our volunteers and our off-duty staff," he said.

Hardin thanked CCFR and the Juneau Police Department for the fast response.

All elective surgeries scheduled for Friday are also canceled, according to Hardin. All other hospital services remain open.

"I want to clarify and make it very clear, there's no physical damage to our (operating rooms) and we are still able to accommodate trauma patients," she said. "Right now, we are canceling elective surgeries for tomorrow to start with, so that we can further evaluate the space itself."

She said patients who had scheduled surgeries for Friday have already been contacted, but the hospital can still accept emergency or trauma patients Thursday and Friday.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306. Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.