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Fire forces hospital's evacuation Fire forces hospital's evacuation
(about 1 hour later)
Patients and staff were forced to flee onto the streets as a major fire swept through a leading cancer hospital.Patients and staff were forced to flee onto the streets as a major fire swept through a leading cancer hospital.
The fire broke out at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London, at 1320 GMT but is now under control.The fire broke out at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London, at 1320 GMT but is now under control.
Much of the roof was destroyed and a number of operating theatres were badly damaged by the blaze, which was tackled by up to 125 firefighters.Much of the roof was destroyed and a number of operating theatres were badly damaged by the blaze, which was tackled by up to 125 firefighters.
Three people were injured - two hospital employees, who suffered from smoke inhalation, and one patient.Three people were injured - two hospital employees, who suffered from smoke inhalation, and one patient.
The hospital said two patients were having surgery at the time of the evacuation but were safely taken off their anaesthetic and ventilators and are now recovering at a neighbouring hospital.The hospital said two patients were having surgery at the time of the evacuation but were safely taken off their anaesthetic and ventilators and are now recovering at a neighbouring hospital.
Royal Marsden NHS Trust chief executive Cally Palmer said the cause of the fire, which broke out in a fourth floor plant room, was unknown. Royal Marsden NHS Trust chief executive Cally Palmer said the fire had broken out on the fourth floor of the building, near to where construction work had been taking place.
Construction work had been taking place in an adjacent room at the time of the blaze, she added. Ms Palmer said a "large proportion" of the hospital's five operating theatres and two wards had been badly affected, which has "compromised" its ability to perform operations.
A "large proportion" of the hospital's five operating theatres and two wards had been badly affected, she said, which has "compromised" its ability to perform operations.
Aerial view of hospital location Aerial view of hospital location
"The most important thing is that all patients and staff have been evacuated safely, and our patients are being cared for in neighbouring hospitals by our specialist teams," said Ms Palmer. "The most important thing is that all patients and staff have been evacuated safely, and our patients are being cared for in neighbouring hospitals by our specialist teams," she said.
"We're hoping that wards, outpatient areas and some of the other areas can be used from tomorrow onwards, but clearly we need to assess that with the fire brigade." Ms Palmer said she hoped that an area of the hospital would be available for access at 0800 GMT on Thursday.
About 800 staff and 79 patients - plus a similar number of out patients - were moved to safety from the facility, which is a world-class specialist cancer hospital.About 800 staff and 79 patients - plus a similar number of out patients - were moved to safety from the facility, which is a world-class specialist cancer hospital.
After the fire broke out several patients were laid on mattresses in a nearby street and others were led away wrapped in blankets.After the fire broke out several patients were laid on mattresses in a nearby street and others were led away wrapped in blankets.
Many were taken to St Paul's Church in Onslow Square while others were transferred to the Royal Brompton Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital treated the three casualties. The two hospital employees were later released while the patient remains in its accident and emergency department. Many were taken to St Paul's Church in Onslow Square while others were transferred to the Royal Brompton Hospital.
It's unbelievable what would happen if it burned down Professor Ray Powles Hospital is a world leaderIn pictures: hospital fireIt's unbelievable what would happen if it burned down Professor Ray Powles Hospital is a world leaderIn pictures: hospital fire
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it had treated the fire as a "very serious" incident. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital treated the three casualties. The two hospital employees were later released while the patient remains in its accident and emergency department.
The LFB said there were no patients in the area where the fire started but it had spread and forced the evacuation. It said an investigation into the fire would begin immediately. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said crews would be at the hospital throughout until the early hours of Thursday, when it hopes to hand back to the Royal Marsden for them to "carry out their business".
Ten ambulances, five officers, a hazardous area response team and a fast response car were sent to the scene by the London Ambulance Service. It said an investigation into the fire would begin immediately.
About 25 fire vehicles, ten ambulances and a hazardous area response team were sent to the scene after the alarm was raised on Wednesday afternoon.
Dr Aled Jones, a surgical doctor, was evacuated from the hospital during a break between operations.Dr Aled Jones, a surgical doctor, was evacuated from the hospital during a break between operations.
"We did think it could have been a false alarm, but the message spread quickly around the hospital and we could smell the smoke," he said. "We did think it could have been a false alarm, but the message spread quickly around the hospital and we could smell the smoke," he told the BBC.
The staff were quite fantastic, and there was no fear whatsoever Patient Jason BoasThe staff were quite fantastic, and there was no fear whatsoever Patient Jason Boas
Dr Jones added: "It was surreal. It didn't feel like it was really happening."Dr Jones added: "It was surreal. It didn't feel like it was really happening."
He said emergency procedures would go ahead under the hospital's contingency plans.He said emergency procedures would go ahead under the hospital's contingency plans.
Professor Ray Powles, former head of haematooncology at the Royal Marsden, said the loss of the hospital would be a "huge step back" for cancer treatment.Professor Ray Powles, former head of haematooncology at the Royal Marsden, said the loss of the hospital would be a "huge step back" for cancer treatment.
He said: "It's unbelievable what would happen if it burned down. It would be a huge, huge step back for all the patients being treated there, and a huge, huge step back for cancer."He said: "It's unbelievable what would happen if it burned down. It would be a huge, huge step back for all the patients being treated there, and a huge, huge step back for cancer."
But he said valuable research material would not be lost as there was a second site in Sutton.But he said valuable research material would not be lost as there was a second site in Sutton.
Both Fulham Road and Sydney Street have been closed and crowds have gathered at the perimeter to watch the scene. Both Fulham Road and Sydney Street were closed as staff and patients began emerging from the hospital while crowds gathered at the perimeter to watch the scene.
Patients in pubPatients in pub
Patient Jason Boas was awaiting treatment at the hospital when the fire broke out. Patient Jason Boas was awaiting treatment when the fire broke out.
He told the BBC News website: "All the patients and staff did not panic, and left in an orderly fashion. The staff were quite fantastic, and there was no fear whatsoever. He told the BBC: "All the patients and staff did not panic, and left in an orderly fashion. The staff were quite fantastic, and there was no fear whatsoever.
"We were evacuated and I had my canular taken out in a local pub by one of the wonderful nurses. We were then sent home, and hopefully tomorrow I will go back to the hospital for treatment.""We were evacuated and I had my canular taken out in a local pub by one of the wonderful nurses. We were then sent home, and hopefully tomorrow I will go back to the hospital for treatment."
The Royal Marsden was the first hospital in the world dedicated to cancer treatment and research into the causes of the disease.The Royal Marsden was the first hospital in the world dedicated to cancer treatment and research into the causes of the disease.
With its academic partner The Institute of Cancer Research, it forms the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe, seeing more than 40,000 patients from the UK and abroad each year.With its academic partner The Institute of Cancer Research, it forms the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe, seeing more than 40,000 patients from the UK and abroad each year.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone described the fire as "a terrible incident". London Mayor Ken Livingstone described the fire as "a terrible incident" and paid tribute to the staff and emergency services who got patients out.
"While the distress to patients being evacuated cannot be underestimated, it is a great tribute to the staff and the emergency services that the evacuation of the entire hospital was done safely," he said. "I began my working career at the Royal Marsden Hospital and experienced first hand the hard work that that is done to tackle cancer," he added.
"I began my working career at the Royal Marsden Hospital and experienced first hand the hard work that that is done to tackle cancer."
Helplines have been set up for people concerned about anyone who may have been affected by the fire. They are: 020 8661 3836/9 and 020 8770 9395/9683.Helplines have been set up for people concerned about anyone who may have been affected by the fire. They are: 020 8661 3836/9 and 020 8770 9395/9683.
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