This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7884290.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Fire crews tackle hospital blaze Patients moved from hospital fire
(about 9 hours later)
Up to 250 patients had to be moved to safety after a fire broke out at a hospital in north-west London. Hundreds of patients had to be moved to safety after a fire started at a hospital in north-west London.
Crews were called to the fire in the basement area of the Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow at 1450 GMT, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.Crews were called to the fire in the basement area of the Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow at 1450 GMT, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.
All patients were moved safely and there were no reports of any injuries, a hospital spokesman said. All 250 patients were moved safely and there were no reports of any injuries, a hospital spokesman said.
The fire was brought under control after about two hours, London Fire Brigade said.The fire was brought under control after about two hours, London Fire Brigade said.
Up to 40 firefighters and eight fire engines attended the blaze.Forty firefighters attended the blaze in the basement 'Efficient' evacuation
The fire broke out near a ward block and the A&E and outpatient maternity departments were closed. Up to 40 firefighters and eight fire engines attended the blaze.
A statement from the hospital said fire crews were called after "smoke was detected through the trust's alarm system in the basement of the hospital". The fire started in the hospital's power plant situated in the basement of the main building, triggering off fire alarms.
It said: "We have discharged those patients who are well enough to go home and have also closed our A&E department and the maternity department to new admissions. Hospital staff began evacuation procedures for three wards when they smelled and saw smoke coming into the eighth, ninth and 10th floors of the ward block.
The A&E and outpatient maternity departments have been closed and power supply to the affected block has been cut off.Forty firefighters attended the blaze in the basement
Fiona Wise, chief executive of the North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, said staff moved patients "very efficiently and effectively" to other wards.
"We are now assessing how many patients have been left in the hospital who would need a bed overnight.
"We will be unable to restore power to the affected tower block so we would have to assume that we are looking for accommodation for at least the next 24 hours."
A statement from the hospital said: "We have discharged those patients who are well enough to go home and have also closed our A&E department and the maternity department to new admissions.
"This is so we can concentrate our resources on ensuring that we care for those patients who have to be moved.""This is so we can concentrate our resources on ensuring that we care for those patients who have to be moved."
The hospital has cancelled routine operations and outpatient appointments at St Mark's Hospital for Thursday.
A&E cases are being diverted to other hospitals including Central Middlesex Hospital.
A LFB spokesman said the fire began in an "electrical intake room" and a low voltage transformer was damaged by fire and smoke.
The hospital has set up a fire information line for relatives of patients - 020 8869 2444.The hospital has set up a fire information line for relatives of patients - 020 8869 2444.