Patients began filing into the newly reopened Hudson, Fla.-based Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point after lightning struck the building and created a small fire on Aug. 31, forcing the hospital to evacuate all 209 patients, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The hospital was forced to remain closed until state fire inspectors checked the facility's back up power generator. Inspectors cleared the hospital on the evening of Sept. 5. The facility officially reopened at 7 a.m. Sept. 6.
According to a spokesperson for the hospital, patients will not be held liable for the evacuation or return to the Bayonet Point facility.
The hospital was reportedly hit by lightning between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 31, causing a fire that damaged the electrical system and resulted in a power outage.
Dozens of firefighters and ambulances from multiple counties in the area moved all of the 209 patients to nearby hospitals in about six hours, according to the article.