Patients and staff at Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook have been given the all-clear after firefighters were called this morning to investigate smoke in the building.

Derek Simmons, Deputy Chief of the Corner Brook Fire Department, says the first call came in around 10:30 a.m. after smoke was reported on a couple of floors.

Simmons clarifies that the building was not evacuated, but some “non-essential” people were asked to leave while others were moved around.

He says the problem was narrowed down to a mechanical issue with the air filtration system, and the go-ahead has since been given for everyone to return.

However, Western Health was forced to cancel all outpatient appointments for the day.

Those affected will be contacted to reschedule.