This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7641555.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Fire strikes children's hospital Fire strikes children's hospital
(9 minutes later)
A blaze at London's Great Ormond Street children's hospital has forced the evacuation of up to 40 patients and staff.A blaze at London's Great Ormond Street children's hospital has forced the evacuation of up to 40 patients and staff.
The fire started at about 0830 BST on the cardiac wing and involved a suspected gas cylinder explosion.The fire started at about 0830 BST on the cardiac wing and involved a suspected gas cylinder explosion.
The entire wing was cleared, including a number of children who were being anaesthetised for surgery, but there were no reports of patient injuries.The entire wing was cleared, including a number of children who were being anaesthetised for surgery, but there were no reports of patient injuries.
The blaze was brought under control by a team of 30 firefighters.The blaze was brought under control by a team of 30 firefighters.
Two ambulances and a hazardous area response team, specialists in dealing with other risk factors like chemicals and gas canisters, were also sent to the site in Russell Square, central London.Two ambulances and a hazardous area response team, specialists in dealing with other risk factors like chemicals and gas canisters, were also sent to the site in Russell Square, central London.
The hospital's chief executive Dr Jane Collins said its major incident plan was put into place very quickly during the blaze. The London Fire Brigade said four firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
We are very concerned about the potential damage to the cardiac wing and the damage it could do to our cardiac programme Dr Jane Collins, chief executiveWe are very concerned about the potential damage to the cardiac wing and the damage it could do to our cardiac programme Dr Jane Collins, chief executive
The hospital's chief executive Dr Jane Collins said its major incident plan was put into place very quickly during the blaze.
She said up to 40 patients were led to safety from the cardiac wing.She said up to 40 patients were led to safety from the cardiac wing.
"There were some children who were due to have surgery this morning so they were already in the process of being anaesthetised," Dr Collins said."There were some children who were due to have surgery this morning so they were already in the process of being anaesthetised," Dr Collins said.
"We have already woken these patients up because we want to make sure they are in a stable and safe situation.""We have already woken these patients up because we want to make sure they are in a stable and safe situation."
She said the fire may result in the cardiac wing remaining closed for "a while".She said the fire may result in the cardiac wing remaining closed for "a while".
Four firefighters suffered minor injuries as they tackled the blaze
"We are very concerned about the potential damage to the cardiac wing and the damage it could do to our cardiac programme," Dr Collins said."We are very concerned about the potential damage to the cardiac wing and the damage it could do to our cardiac programme," Dr Collins said.
Several firefighters suffered minor injuries
All outpatients and day cases have been cancelled at the hospital, which said it would contact affected families "as soon as we have further news".All outpatients and day cases have been cancelled at the hospital, which said it would contact affected families "as soon as we have further news".
Traffic was being directed around the site.Traffic was being directed around the site.
Cleaner Temitope Olowu, who was working in the hospital, said: "We were suddenly told there was a fire on our floor, level five so we were all ordered to the nearest fire exit.Cleaner Temitope Olowu, who was working in the hospital, said: "We were suddenly told there was a fire on our floor, level five so we were all ordered to the nearest fire exit.
"We didn't really know what was happening. Everyone was keeping calm and just concentrating on getting out of the building.""We didn't really know what was happening. Everyone was keeping calm and just concentrating on getting out of the building."