Ep 19. Fire in the Belly

In ER season 2 episode 19, titled "Fire in the Belly," the emergency department at County General Hospital faces a chaotic night as a fire breaks out in a nearby building.

Dr. Greene and Dr. Lewis are treating a woman, Mrs. Unger, who has a mysterious abdominal condition. Dr. Greene believes she has pancreatic cancer, but she refuses to have any testing done. As the fire approaches the hospital, the doctors and nurses are forced to evacuate the patients. Mrs. Unger is wheeled to the ambulance bay, but she refuses to leave the hospital until she knows what is wrong with her. Dr. Greene and Dr. Lewis have to make a quick decision to treat her before the fire engulfs the building.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ross and Nurse Hathaway are trying to save a man, Mr. Kwortnik, who is experiencing a heart attack. As they begin to administer CPR, the fire department intervenes and orders the patients and staff to evacuate. Mr. Kwortnik's condition worsens as he is without oxygen for too long, and he is declared dead. Dr. Ross is heartbroken by the loss, and he and Nurse Hathaway reflect on how they could have prevented it.

Back inside the hospital, Dr. Benton and Dr. Hicks are working on a case together. Dr. Hicks is a renowned surgeon, and Dr. Benton is eager to learn from her. They are treating a man, Mr. Keene, who has a hernia that was caused by his job as a baggage handler. As they are in the middle of the surgery, the power goes out due to the fire. Dr. Hicks has to finish the surgery manually while using a flashlight. Despite the obstacles, they succeed in finishing the operation before the generator kicks back on.

As the fire subsides, the patients are allowed back into the hospital. Mrs. Unger finally agrees to have a CT scan, which confirms Dr. Greene's suspicion of pancreatic cancer. She is devastated by the news but grateful for the doctors' persistence in treating her. Dr. Ross and Nurse Hathaway confront the fire department about their handling of the evacuation, but they are told there was no choice. They realize that the chaotic nature of an emergency can result in tragic consequences.

In the end, the hospital staff reflects on the events of the night and how they managed to work together despite the chaos. The episode ends with the staff grateful for their ability to work as a team in the face of adversity.

"Fire in the Belly" is a powerful episode that highlights the dedication of the emergency medical staff in high-pressure situations. The fast-paced action and emotional storylines make it a gripping installment in the ER series.