Hospital/Care Facility, Other - Hospital/Medical

Willmar, MN – Fire at clinic contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Fire damaged a portion of CentraCare Clinic in Willmar Friday night.   Willmar Fire Chief Frank Hanson, in a news release, said the fire department was dispatched to the main CentraCare Clinic at Willmar Avenue and South 1st Street at 10:53 Friday night.   A clinic staff member reported smoke on the third floor, which activated the fire alarm and sprinkler system.  Battalion Chief Jeff Gilbertson observed dense black smoke on the third floor near some offices and an exam room.  The sprinklers contained the fire to that portion of that room, and firefighters extinguished the rest.  Firefighters cleared the building of the smoke and helped clean up water from the sprinkler system.  Hanson says the building and its contents sustained fire, water and smoke damage, and there were no injuries.  Fire crews remained on scene until about 1:40 am., and it was determined the cause of the fire was an electric space heater.

The Willmar Fire Department was assisted by Willmar Police Department, CentraCare EMS- Willmar, CentraCare Security and staff.