A fire that started in the A&E department of a hospital in Croydon forced the evacuation of 80 patients.
Just before 3pm on Sunday, a fire engulfed the emergency room at Croydon University Hospital.
According to the Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, everyone who was inside the facility at the time was safely evacuated.
By 5.07 p.m., according to the London Fire Brigade, the fire was under control.
The Croydon Health Services NHS Trust is advising anyone in the neighbourhood who requires immediate medical attention to dial 111, where they will receive guidance and be put in touch with the closest A&E facility.
In a statement following the blaze, a Trust representative said: “We are currently managing an incident at Croydon University Hospital following a fire in our Emergency Department.
“We are happy to confirm that all of our patients and staff are safe, and the fire is out. However, due to the damage caused, our Emergency Department will remain closed temporarily.”
“Our staff and the London Fire Brigade responded quickly to the alarm, which was raised at 14:58. A total of 80 patients were safely evacuated from the Emergency Department to continue their care in other parts of the hospital, and we have discharged those patients who are well enough to go home.”
Later, the Trust tweeted: “Our A&E is currently closed due to an earlier fire. We are happy to confirm that all of our patients & staff are safe & we will reopen soon thanks to the fast work of London Fire Brigade.”
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