A fire broke out in the A&E department of a hospital this morning, forcing patients and staff to escape.
The accident and emergency department at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool was evacuated when a fire broke out on the top of a neighbouring building.
Eight fire engines and police vehicles responded to the incident, blocking off entrance to the hospital and establishing a perimeter.
Staff and patients were evacuated from the first two floors of the hospital, and individuals on beds were seen outside the front door.
A hospital representative has now announced that individuals seeking urgent and emergency care must seek ‘other treatment.’
‘Our A&E at Aintree is temporarily closed till further notice,’ they stated. For urgent and emergency care, please seek alternate treatment.
‘All outpatient visits and scheduled operations will go place as usual.’ Thank you for your understanding and patience.’ The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has said that it is open for business as usual today. ‘Services at CCC-Aintree & Marina Dalglish Centre at Aintree Hospital are functioning as usual today,’ according to a tweet from the centre’s account. If you have an appointment at Aintree today, please come in as normal.’
An electrical plant on the top of the three-story structure, close to the A&E department, had taken fire, according to fire personnel.
‘Firefighters using breathing equipment quickly commenced to combat the fire to avoid escalation while working with staff to remove patients from the areas near the fire,’ said a spokeswoman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
‘Power has been cut off to the electrical unit, and firemen using breathing equipment are battling the fire with high-pressure hose reels and CO2 extinguishers.’ Patients have been evacuated from the first and second levels, and no injuries have been reported.’
‘There are currently eight fire engines on location,’ a representative said later in the morning, after workers had been on the scene for four hours. Firefighters are still fighting the fire in a rooftop plant room while wearing breathing equipment and using CO2 extinguishers. Police have cordoned off the area where the event occurred.’