INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A welder’s torch ignited a fire Friday afternoon at the Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center-South on the south side of Indianapolis.
The fire was reported between 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Friday on the west side of the building, which is under construction, at 1440 E County Line Road.
Indianapolis Fire Department says the blaze, which started on the exterior of the building, produced heavy black smoke visible for miles. No one was hurt.
The building suffered smoke and water damage, and utilities were shut off as a precaution, the fire department says. The fire did not extend to building’s interior.
The department says about 75 people, including employees and eight patients, were evacuated from the building and relocated to nearby Community South Hospital for shelter.
Kris Kirschner, a spokeswoman for Community Health Network, said in an email to News 8 on Friday night, “We are assessing the situation to determine if any patient appointments need to be rescheduled. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the police and fire departments, including our own police department, for their swift response. Additionally, we commend our employees for their quick action and support in managing the situation.”
Community Health Network in June broke ground on a $60 million expansion to double the size of the facility, hoping to finish the construction by the end of 2025.
Indianapolis Fire Department says construction workers had tried unsuccessfully to put out the blaze, leading to an evacuation of the area.
Firefighters arrived to find flames showing from the open second-story construction area. They aggressive attacked the construction site fire to prevent it from spreading further, getting the blaze under control in 20 minutes.
The Greenwood Fire Department aided Indianapolis firefighters, which left the site about 4:30 p.m. Friday.
