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Tamworth hospital: Suspect, 43, held over George Bryan Centre fire | Tamworth hospital: Suspect, 43, held over George Bryan Centre fire |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a blaze broke out at a mental health centre in Staffordshire. | A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a blaze broke out at a mental health centre in Staffordshire. |
The 43-year-old, from Tamworth, was detained over the fire at the George Bryan centre near the Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital in the town. | |
There were no reports of casualties in the fire, which broke out at about 20:50 GMT on Monday. | |
"All occupants and staff have been evacuated from the centre," Staffordshire Police said. | "All occupants and staff have been evacuated from the centre," Staffordshire Police said. |
'Sacrifice part of building' | 'Sacrifice part of building' |
One patient absconded during the commotion caused by the blaze but was found soon afterwards, a police spokesman told the BBC. | |
The force said 11 occupants and staff were evacuated from the centre, in Plantation Lane, Mile Oak. | The force said 11 occupants and staff were evacuated from the centre, in Plantation Lane, Mile Oak. |
Some 10 crews from Staffordshire, West Midlands and Warwickshire fire services were deployed. | |
A Staffordshire fire service spokesman said there was "quite a lot of the building involved" in the blaze. | |
"We're trying to sacrifice part of the building and let that burn to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the hospital," he said. | "We're trying to sacrifice part of the building and let that burn to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the hospital," he said. |
Christopher Pincher, the Conservative MP for Tamworth, tweeted that he was "very concerned" by the fire. | Christopher Pincher, the Conservative MP for Tamworth, tweeted that he was "very concerned" by the fire. |
An appeal has been made for witnesses to come forward with information about the fire. | |
The centre shares a site with the community hospital, although the two buildings are not connected. | |
Run by the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, it provides mental health services for adults, including acute care under the Mental Health Act. | Run by the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, it provides mental health services for adults, including acute care under the Mental Health Act. |
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