Air conditioner breakdown causes fumes at E.J. Noble

GOUVERNEUR — An air-conditioning malfunction Friday night in the physicians' office wing at E.J. Noble Hospital prompted the closing of the wing and an alert for possible evacuation of the hospital and nursing home.

Assistant Fire Chief W. Joseph Lacks the malfunction caused a heavy mist and chemical smoke in the office wing, which activated smoke alarms. The building was being ventilated late Friday.

The hospital and attached nursing home remained open as of midnight, but one person seeking care at the emergency room was diverted to Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg during the incident, police said.

Ambulances from Gouverneur, Hermon, Rensselaer Falls and Canton were called to the scene. The hospital, at 77 W. Barney St., has 47 patient beds and 40 nursing home beds.