UMass Memorial hospital in Marlboro loses heat during freezing temperatures

Dozens of patients were relocated to other hospitals as the boiler system flooded and heat was cut off.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Dozens of patients being treated at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Marlboro, Massachusetts were left without heat for several hours on Sunday night after a large valve broke, flooding the basement and boiler system. The hospital went into "Code Black" and 70 of the 93 patients were eventually relocated to other facilities as temperatures dropped to around 12 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -1 degrees.

Why it matters

Losing heat in a hospital during freezing winter conditions poses serious risks to patient health and safety, requiring quick action to relocate vulnerable patients. The incident raises questions about the hospital's emergency preparedness and infrastructure maintenance procedures.

The details

The valve break occurred just before 6 p.m. on Sunday, flooding the basement and cutting off heat to the entire hospital. It wasn't until 10 p.m. that the decision was made to transfer 70 of the 93 patients to other facilities. The hospital said patient safety remained the top priority throughout the transfer process.

  • The valve broke and heat was lost just before 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2026.
  • Patients were not relocated until around 10 p.m. that evening.
  • Temperatures in Marlboro were around 12 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -1 degrees during the outage.

The players

UMass Memorial Medical Center

A hospital system with multiple locations in central Massachusetts, including the Marlboro campus that lost heat.

Jeffrey Gogan

The Marlboro Fire Chief who provided details about the incident.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Patients' families were notified of where and when patients would be moved. Patient safety remained a top priority throughout the transfer process.”

— UMass Memorial Health (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The hospital said the valve issue has been resolved and the basement has been cleared of water, but it's unclear if heat has been fully restored. The Marlboro campus remains closed to new inpatient and outpatient care, except for emergency walk-ins who will be transferred elsewhere.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical importance of robust emergency preparedness and infrastructure maintenance at hospitals, especially in regions prone to extreme winter weather. Ensuring patient safety and continuity of care must be the top priorities when unexpected equipment failures occur.