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Firefighters injured in Great Ormond Street blaze

29/09/2008

A fire has broken out at Great Ormond Street children's hospital, forcing the evacuation of 23 patients.

No patients, family members or staff are believed to have been injured in the fire, which is understood to have been caused by a faulty gas cylinder.

The London fire brigade said it had been called to the west London hospital at 08:35 BST after a "small explosion".

A spokesman told inthenews.co.uk that four firefighters had sustained minor injuries tackling the blaze and had been taken to a nearby hospital.

The hospital said the fire broke out on the fifth floor of the cardiac wing (respiratory ward).

"The fire is now under control and a gas cylinder is suspected to be the cause of this. But we are still confirming the facts," a statement explained.

"All outpatients and day cases have been cancelled today. However, planned elective cases will resume tomorrow. Great Ormond Street hospital is receiving emergency cases today. The remaining parts of the hospital are functioning as normal.

"We will be contacting all affected families as soon as we have further news."