Beaufort Memorial Hospital temporarily evacuated due to HVAC smoke

BEAUFORT, S.C. (WTOC) - The City of Beaufort / Town Port Royal Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at Beaufort Memorial Hospital Tuesday afternoon.

According to officials from the hospital, a fire alarm went off in the Pratt Emergency Center but the alarm was not a result of a fire.

The alarm went off as a result of bearings in the HVAC system causing smoke in the facility.

The hospital says the ER was quickly evacuated so the cause of the fire alarm could be assessed.

When the Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department arrived the all-clear was issued in less than 30 minutes.

Hospital staff says that the team responded amazingly, and that they’re thankful for the help and support of the EMS/Fire crews involved.