Fire At Great Ormond Street Hospital

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 30 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PST

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At 8.30am yesterday morning there was a fire on the 5th floor of Great Ormond Street Hospital's cardiac wing (respiratory ward). The hospital's major incident plan was activated immediately and the fire brigade was called.

Twenty three patients were safely evacuated to others parts of the hospital. There have been no reported injuries to any patients, family or staff.

London Fire Brigade has confirmed that six fire engines and around 30 fire fighters were at the scene of a fire at Great Ormond Street Hospital, WC1. The Brigade was called at 0835 and the fire was surrounded at 0955. A small explosion occurred during the incident and a full investigation into the cause of the fire is already underway. The London Fire Brigade was pleased with the hospital's swift evacuation procedure.

All outpatients and day cases were cancelled yesterday. However, planned elective cases will resume 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.

Further updates will be available on the press office website.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust is the country's leading centre for treating sick children, with the widest range of specialists under one roof.

With the UCL Institute of Child Health, we are the largest centre for paediatric research outside the US and play a key role in training children's health specialists for the future.

Our charity needs to raise £50 million every year to help rebuild and refurbish Great Ormond Street Hospital, buy vital equipment and fund pioneering research. With your help we provide world class care to our very ill children and their families.

UCL Institute of Child Health