Ill. VA hospital fire forces patient evacuations

DANVILLE -- A veterans hospital ward has been evacuated and shut down after an electrical fire.

Veteran Affairs spokesman Doug Shouse says about 60 patients and 50 to 60 other people were evacuated from the building at Danville's VA hospital just after 9 a.m. Wednesday. No one was injured.

He says the hospital is operating on emergency power until electricity is turned back on, which is expected to happen late Wednesday.

Danville Assistant Fire Chief Don Hanetho says the fire damaged several patient rooms and the roof.

Shouse says the building is home to nursing home and mental health patients. They've been moved to other buildings.

Shouse says it may be some time before the building reopens.