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Fire forces hospital's evacuation Fire forces hospital's evacuation
(30 minutes later)
A "very serious" fire has swept through a leading cancer hospital in London, forcing its evacuation.A "very serious" fire has swept through a leading cancer hospital in London, forcing its evacuation.
Up to 125 firefighters are tackling the blaze at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Fulham Road, Chelsea, west London.Up to 125 firefighters are tackling the blaze at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Fulham Road, Chelsea, west London.
Much of the roof has been destroyed by the blaze which started at 1320 GMT and sent smoke billowing into the air. Much of the roof has been destroyed by the fire, which started at 1320 GMT and sent smoke billowing into the air.
The burning building has now been fully evacuated. Several patients were laid on mattresses in a street and others were led away wrapped in blankets. Three casualties were reported - one patient and two firefighters who suffered smoke inhalation. The burning building has now been fully evacuated.
Several patients were laid on mattresses in a street and others were led away wrapped in blankets.
Aerial view of hospital location Aerial view of hospital location
The Royal Marsden Hospital is a world-class specialist cancer hospital.The Royal Marsden Hospital is a world-class specialist cancer hospital.
'Huge plume' Staff estimated that there were between 80 and 90 patients at the hospital when the fire broke out.
About 100 patients were taken to St Paul's Church in Onslow Square where they were being cared for by nursing staff. Many patients were taken to St Paul's Church in Onslow Square while others were transferred to the Royal Brompton Hospital. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is treating the three casualties.
Other patients have been transferred to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and the Royal Brompton Hospital.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was treating the fire as "very serious" but so far there are no reported injuries.
A LFB spokesman said: "The top floor and the roof is alight and it's still ongoing. We're doing our best to bring it under control."
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 was treating the fire as "very serious".
A LFB spokesman said: "The top floor and the roof is alight and it's still ongoing. We're doing our best to bring it under control."
The LFB said there were no patients in the area where the fire started but it had spread and forced the evacuation.The LFB said there were no patients in the area where the fire started but it had spread and forced the evacuation.
Ten ambulances, five officers, a hazardous area response team and a fast response car were sent to the scene by the London Ambulance Service.Ten ambulances, five officers, a hazardous area response team and a fast response car were sent to the scene by the London Ambulance Service.
A spokesman said: "Our crews are currently remaining on standby but there are no reports of any casualties at this stage."
Roads closed
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.
Several roads in the area have been closed Many patients were taken to a nearby church
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 have been closed and crowds have gathered at the perimeter to watch the scene.
Iain Heggie, owner of the Crown pub which is next to the hospital, said dozens of patients were evacuated by emergency services.Iain Heggie, owner of the Crown pub which is next to the hospital, said dozens of patients were evacuated by emergency services.
He said: "Patients were carried on mattresses from the various hospital exits past my pub.He said: "Patients were carried on mattresses from the various hospital exits past my pub.
"They were covered by blankets and others were walking, I saw a lot going by.""They were covered by blankets and others were walking, I saw a lot going by."
Pablo Pico, who works at a nearby book shop, said: "There is a lot of smoke and we can see a lot of ashes flying over.Pablo Pico, who works at a nearby book shop, said: "There is a lot of smoke and we can see a lot of ashes flying over.
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.
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