NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Patients were evacuated from the emergency room of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London because of a fire late Tuesday morning.

The fire broke out in an underground area outside a three-story section of the hospital. Officials said the fire was reported in the area adjacent to the emergency room on the hospital's north side at about 10 a.m. by an off-duty firefighter, Roger Tompkins, who was at the hospital visiting his mother on the third floor.

"My first reaction was to get my mom out of the room," he said.

He said he called for help, and then went to work.

"Then I went down to the floor below me and the floor below that, told them to move and evacuate people," he said.

All surgeries and afternoon appointments were canceled at the hospital on Tuesday and patients were evacuated from the emergency room. Hospital officials said they planned to re-open the emergency room at midnight, but that all surgeries planned for Wednesday were canceled.

Ines McDowal was at Lawrence & Memorial for her husband's same-day surgery on Tuesday.

"When I went back in, all the lights were out," she said.

She said she was scared during the incident, but that her husband is OK.

"I was in the offices over there," employee Yezenia Vurgos. "I could smell the smoke. That's when they said everyone get out. Smoke and fire -- I know the smell."

The fire quickly escalated to two alarms. About 60 firefighters worked to contain and extinguish the fire, which was put out at about 2:10 p.m.

Eyewitness News reporter Kevin Hogan said crews at the scene reported that the fire was caused by an underground Connecticut Light & Power transformer that was overtaxed and caught fire. They said heavy equipment will be brought in on Wednesday to remove the destroyed electrical equipment that is housed about 20 feet beneath the hospital.

Eyewitnesses said flames could be seen shooting 30 feet in the air.

Hospital spokesman Kelly Anthony said the fire caused the hospital to lose air conditioning, and special cooling units were being brought in to the hospital as a precaution to prevent against heat exhaustion.

With a 4-year-old at home and a set of twins just born, Jen Malbaurn said she was ready to go home when her husband, Norman, arrived at Lawrence & Memorial to get her.

But as he brought a load of items to the car, he said the power suddenly went out because the underground transformer blew. He said he wasn't allowed back inside to be with his wife and children.

Malbaurn said she wasn't allowed to leave with the twins. She said she did, however, see patients out her window. She said that during the two-hour time period that she was not allowed to leave, her door was kept closed to conserve the cool air. She said it was uncomfortable and nerve-wracking at times, but that the hospital handled the emergency well.

Roads surrounding the hospital, including Ocean Avenue and Harbor View, were closed to traffic while crews battled the blaze.

After the fire was extinguished, a backup generator was used to restore power to the hospital, but Anthony said some patients were still being transported to other local hospitals.

The state fire marshal and local investigators praised the quick action of all involved.

"All their plans, their building features, worked very well," New London Fire Chief Ron Samul said. "Everyone in the building was quickly moved to a safe area."

The American Red Cross reported that it was offering a canteen service for emergency responders fighting the fire. Officials said the Red Cross is working with the hospital and the Salvation Army to provide water and other refreshments to the more than 300 personnel at the site.

Ten Red Cross volunteers also went to the scene.

Environmental crews cleaned up the site Tuesday night so Connecticut Light & Power crews could repair the damage. CL&P crews said they expected to be working all night.

Several Patients Diverted To Backus Hospital

Doctors and nurses at Backus Hospital in Norwich said they immediately began making room for patients from Lawrence & Memorial Hospital following the fire.

Backus is among the group of shoreline hospitals offering help after the fire. So far, officials said Backus has received about nine patients from Lawrence & Memorial, which is about 20 minutes away.

Ambulances from both hospitals handled the transportation, officials said.

"We're trying to keep the volume outside the emergency room and focus on real emergencies," said Dr. Peter Shea, chief medical officer for Backus.

As a precaution, Shea said the hospital has extra beds. He said extra staff has also been called in to handle transferred patients and patients who normally go to Lawrence & Memorial.

Already, there's been one transferred patient who has needed surgery, officials said. They said those with non-life-threatening diseases are urged to go to Backus for the time being.

Regardless, Shea said his staff will be ready to perform surgeries for the neighboring hospital all day on Wednesday, if needed.

"We get used to it, and we're happy to help a neighbor," he said.

Fire Leaves Residents Without Power

Connecticut Light & Power said the electrical fire left 2,400 customers in Waterford and New London without power. Utility officials said those without power are on the same circuit as the hospital.

Power had been restored by Tuesday afternoon.