Fire at Trenton Mental Hospital

Fire burned through the roof of a four-story administration building at the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital complex on Tuesday morning, forcing some staff to evacuate, authorities said. The fire started at about 8 a.m. in the Haines Building, which was evacuated, said Jeffrey Gore, battalion chief with the Trenton Fire Department.

None of the facility's 450 patients are housed there, said Andy Williams, spokesman for the state Department of Human Services. The building contains administrative offices, a chapel and maintenance functions, he said.

More than 250 firefighters from Trenton and surrounding communities fought the blaze. Seven firefighters suffered minor injuries, including heat stress, twisted ankles and chest pain.

The bulk of the fire was knocked down by 11 a.m., but fire crews planned to stay into the night to check for hotspots, said Graham Smith, a battalion chief with the Trenton Fire Department.

The cause was under investigation.

The hospital serves adult patients with severe mental illnesses who need intensive inpatient care. It is operated by the state Division of Mental Health.

Author: 6 ABC-AP