Patients uninjured in alarm activation at BayHealth Milford Memorial

Bay Health Milford Memorial Hospital has returned to normal operations after an alarm was activated on Saturday morning.

Hospital officials say around 5:25 AM, patients were evacuated from the hospital's intermediate care, medical-surgical and obstetric units.

No patients were injured, but several staff members were evaluated for smoke inhalation.

The fire was under control in an hour and officials say the cause of the fire was a small heating cooling unit on a nursing floor.

Two inpatient units will remain closed until they are reconditioned for patient use. However, most patients have returned to their original units.

Bay Health President and CEO Terry Murphy says, "We are deeply grateful for staff and first responders who followed established protocols to keep patients safe. We'd like to extend our thanks to our first responders from Sussex and Kent County EMS along with Carlisle, Houston, Harrington, Bowers Beach, Frederica and Ellendale fire departments."

Bay Health says patient families can call 302-422-3311 if they have questions about their loved ones.