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Investigation into UPMC Lock Haven fire

Fire was detected in a tunnel below the UPMC Lock Haven hospital Thursday night.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — A hospital in Clinton County remains closed on Friday after a fire Thursday night.

Construction and fire crews are at UPMC Lock Haven sifting through the damage that was left by an underground fire.

Around 9 p.m. on Thursday, fire was detected in a tunnel below the UPMC Lock Haven Hospital.

RELATED: Fire at UPMC Lock Haven

Video from witnesses shows multiple fire crews responding to the fire.

"I saw the fire trucks from different counties coming in to assist with what was going on at the hospital because my friend was telling me that there was a fire or whatever so I went to find out," Gregory Haynes said.

All 14 patients at the hospital were moved to either nearby UPMC sites or discharged to their homes. No patients or staff were injured.

"I go to that hospital when like my stomach hurts or whatever the case may be. The doctors and everybody there are wonderful people. So I just wanted to make sure everything was alright."

Fire crews were still working Friday to put out hotspots and even when they finish, the hospital will remain closed for the foreseeable future. That has folks in the area concerned.

"Where can you go then?" asked John Pizzuto. "You can't go up there anymore right now, can you?" Because where else am I supposed to go? So I mean if I get sick or anything like that or something happens I'd go there but now it's closed, I'm going to have to go to another hospital."

Pizzuto says he will have to find other options in case his family has a medical emergency.

"If it's an emergency, they will Life Flight you and if not, the closest hospital is in Jersey Shore just 10 miles down the road from Lock Haven."

According to the Lock Haven Fire Department, the fire was under control around 3 a.m.

UPMC officials tell Newswatch 16 that the hospital will remain closed until further notice.

Fire investigators have not said what sparked the fire.

The closest nearby hospital and emergency room is located 12 miles away in Jersey Shore.

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