Witnesses caught an odd sight at Health Sciences Centre on Monday.

A white liquid appeared on the side of the exterior walls at Winnipeg’s largest hospital.

Witnesses said the liquid appeared in the morning, and seemed to come from the area around the new helicopter port which opened at the end of November.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said incoming helicopter landings have been temporarily diverted after the foam fire retardant system was accidentally deployed on Monday.

WRHA said around 11 a.m. Monday, the foam fire retardant system was deployed on the HSC rooftop helipad.

In a statement sent to CTV News, the health authority said it was not in response to a fire.

"During a training session, the switch was accidentally triggered and the foam deployed, we’re looking into the reason for this and how we can be sure it doesn’t happen again. The foam deployment was not as a result of an emergency or perceived emergency," the statement said.

"Incoming helicopter landings have been temporarily diverted until the pad can be cleared of the foam and the fire suppression system can be refilled."

In a phone call with CTV News, a spokesperson said the switch was accidental. In order for landings to resume the spokesperson said the foam must be restocked.

"We cannot accept flights until the fire suppression system is up and working again so STARS and other helicopter services will temporarily be diverted back to the airport until the system is up and running again."



WRHA expects foam to be restocked by the end of the week.



"No patient transports have been affected, and our crew isn't flying due to weather. We have a good system with ground transfers from the airport if needed," said Cam Heke with Manitoba STARS in an email to CTV News on Tuesday.



Craig Doerksen is the divisional director of facility management at HSC, and manages the heliport.

He said brushed the switch their arm during training, causing the foam to be deployed. A secondary problem with a valve caused water to enter hospital floors.

He said, at the children's hospital, there was a little bit of water on all the floors.

Ten patients were temporarily moved from their rooms to the hallway or other rooms.

Rooms were checked, inspected and cleaned. Patients moved back in their room around 5 p.m.

The water in the diagnostic centre of excellence affected no patients.

Doerksen said the chemical that makes the foam does not pose a risk to anyone in the hospital or the public.

The water has been cleaned and crews are checking for water damage.