A natural gas leak at CEE hospital in Petrolia forced ambulances to be redirected to Sarnia for about three hours on Wednesday evening.
Bluewater Health said the leak prompted the evacuation of the Emergency Department and Acute Care unit, just before 8 p.m.
The Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Department and Enbridge Gas went to the hospital and the gas supply was shut off.
In an email to Sarnia News Today, Fire Chief Rick Cousins said a contractor was on site installing a sprinkler system.
"While drilling through a wall, they came into contact with a gas line in the basement kitchen area," he said.
Patients have since safely returned to their rooms, and normal operations have resumed.
Bluewater Health said there were no injuries, and thanked staff, physicians, first responders and community partners for their quick response and assistance in ensuring the safety of patients and staff.
