Shutterstock
Gatesville police have confirmed there was an explosion Tuesday afternoon at Coryell Memorial Hospital. Patients and staff are currently being evacuated. The Gatesville Police Department and firefighters responded to the hospital at 1507 West Main St. around 2:30 p.m. local time.
At this time, there are unconfirmed reports of injuries. Ambulances from surrounding communities are assisting. Twelve patients have been evacuated and taken to other hospitals.
Initial reports indicated that the explosion occurred in an area in which the hospital is being expanded, possibly in a boiler room. Other reports suggest that some people are trapped as a result of the explosion. Images from the scene show smoke rising from the building and there are reports of a building collapse.
https://twitter.com/HollyKXXV/status/1011707496254320640
via KWTX:
Power was out in downtown Gatesville and at the Coryell County Courthouse and some traffic lights were dark. Gatesville police would only say the department was dealing with a major emergency and would provide no other details. There was no other information on what might have happened, but it was known some streets were closed and one witness said there was a lot of black smoke visible in the area.
The hospital is in the immediate area and so are two nursing home facilities. Ground was broken in November 2016 for a major renovation and expansion at the hospital.
The 117,000-square foot project includes new operating rooms, a new 25-bed hospital wing, administration offices, a 16-bed rehabilitation facility and a new central plant that houses chillers and boilers.
At this time, the extent of damage or number of injuries has not been reported.
Coryell Memorial Hospital is located at 507 W Main St in Gatesville, Texas. Coryell Memorial Healthcare System provides a range of health services including a 25-bed licensed hospital, Level IV Trauma Center emergency room, more than 30 primary and specialty care providers, an advanced wound care center, outpatient rehabilitation center, skilled nursing facility with long-term care and inpatient rehabilitation, assisted living and independent living apartments.
