No Injuries Reported as Emergency Crews, Staff, and Partner Facilities Respond Swiftly
KENORA, ON – A fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning caused significant damage to the Laundry Facility at Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH), but thanks to the rapid response of emergency crews and hospital staff, no injuries were reported.
The incident, which saw flames engulf the hospital’s laundry truck and damage both equipment and linens, has left the building extensively damaged. Officials at LWDH expressed deep gratitude to the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) and Kenora Fire & Emergency Services for their swift action in containing and extinguishing the fire, preventing further damage to the hospital and ensuring the safety of patients and staff.
“Our LWDH Maintenance and Environmental Services teams, along with the hospital supervisor on duty, acted quickly and decisively to protect everyone involved,” hospital officials said in a statement. “Their professionalism during such a critical incident reflects the strength and dedication of our hospital family.”
Community Support Already Stepping Up
Despite the challenges the fire presents, the Kenora healthcare community has already begun rallying together.
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Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care Home and Pinecrest Home have stepped in to assist with laundry services, offering equipment and extra linens to help maintain hospital operations.
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This collaborative effort underscores the resilience and interconnectedness of Kenora’s health care providers, ensuring patients continue to receive the care they need, even in the face of adversity.
“This will certainly be a challenge for our hospital team, but as always, we are motivated by the unwavering support of our community partners,” LWDH stated. “We remain committed to providing extraordinary care for every patient, every day.”
