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Wards evacuated in hospital fire | Wards evacuated in hospital fire |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Two wards were evacuated after a fire broke out in an electrical cupboard at Manchester Royal Infirmary. | |
The wards affected were in the renal unit, and about 70 patients had to be moved to other wards in the hospital. | |
Seven fire engines were called to attend the scene in Oxford Road, south Manchester, when the fire broke out at 1630 BST on Saturday. | |
Two patients needed treatment for smoke inhalation but there were no serious injuries, a hospital spokeswoman said. | |
The hospital declared a medical emergency and closed its A&E unit with patients needing emergency treatment transferred elsewhere. It has since reopened. | |
Minimise disruption | |
However, there is still no power to the affected area of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, which is in the older part of the building. | |
There is also smoke and water damage and the two closed wards are expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future, the spokeswoman added. | There is also smoke and water damage and the two closed wards are expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future, the spokeswoman added. |
Hospital chiefs are to meet later on Sunday to work out how to minimise disruption to patients. | |
Any patients whose treatment may be affected by the blaze would be contacted by hospital staff, a hospital spokesman said. | |
Firefighters who spent the night at the scene are to remain at the hospital until a meeting with electricians at noon. | |
Manchester Royal Infirmary is the city's largest general hospital with more than 800 beds. | |
Martin Hodgson, a director of the Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust, said the hospital's priority had been the safe evacuation of patients, and he praised the co-operation between hospital staff and fire and ambulance services. |
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