Former Reid Hospital campus in Richmond deteriorates

RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) - Time, weather and vandalism have taken their toll on the former Reid Hospital campus in Richmond.

Reid Health moved to its new location eight years ago. At the old hospital campus, windows have little glass left and floors have been weakened by water damage. The interior has been marked by fires, and the air contains contaminants including asbestos.

The Palladium-Item (http://pinews.co/1XWsFlX ) reports people are drawn to the old campus, including some who say they're looking for ghosts and spirits or a spot for graffiti.

Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said he's "literally losing sleep over the possibility for loss of life" at the campus.

"I can't stress hard enough for people to not consider that a place to explore," Snow said. "It's not a place for thrill-seeking and sightseeing."

On April 18, a fire burned a covered porch of part of the former hospital, and firefighters went inside to check for people. There was nobody found.

"What puts us in danger," Richmond Fire Department Chief Jerry Purcell said, "is trespassing. People should stay away from the site. It's much safer for them and safer for us."

Firefighters don't go inside to battle fires, but will search inside when there's reason to believe some might be in danger.

"We're not going to go in and fight interior fires," Purcell said. "We'll keep a fire from spreading."

The property didn't get any bids when Wayne County offered it in a delinquent tax sale in 2013. Snow said there are regular discussions between the county and city about what to do, but at this time there's no timetable for anything more than studying further.

"We have to move forward in small pieces," he said. "We're working hard to get it down."

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Information from: Palladium-Item, http://www.pal-item.com