Fuel spill forces closure of Attawapiskat hospital

The community of Attawapiskatin Ontario's far north has been forced to close its hospital while it dealswith a heating oil spill in the crawlspace of the building.

The CEOof the Weeneebayko Health Authority, Robert Adolph, said about 10 patients have been moved by Ornge air ambulance to hospitals in Fort Albany and Moose Factory.

Some nurseswent with patients. The remaining nursing staff have set up a clinic inside the ambulance base in Attawapiskat to handle medical emergencies, Adolph said.

It isbelieved about 1200 litres of heating fuel leaked inside the hospital building when a pump that is part of the systemfailed on Sunday, Adolph said.

"It has been reported that it is about 1200, but I haven't gotten an assessment report back from the contractor yet, so that may change," he said.

It is unclear how long it will take to clean up the heating fuel spill and re-open the hospital, Adolph said.

The Attawapiskat hospital was also shut down in the spring of 2013 because of a sewer back-up.

Listen to the conversation withRobert Adolph,CEOof theWeeneebaykoHealth Authority, that aired Tuesday on CBC Sudbury's afternoon radio showUp Northwith host Jason Turnbull.