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PM visits fire hospital evacuees Hospital staff return after fire
(31 minutes later)
Cancer patients evacuated from a hospital during a fire have been visited by the prime minister. Part of the Royal Marsden Hospital has been handed back to staff following a serious fire.
Gordon Brown arrived at the Royal Brompton Hospital to meet some of the patients who were forced to leave London's Royal Marsden Hospital. The blaze broke out at the leading cancer treatment centre on Wednesday and destroyed about half of the roof.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday at the leading cancer treatment centre and destroyed about half of the roof. A hospital spokesperson reported that the damage to the building is "not as bad as first suspected" and a clean-up operation has started.
About 800 staff and up to 160 patients were moved to safety, including two patients undergoing surgery. The prime minister promised to "do everything in our power" to reopen the hospital as soon as possible.
They were safely taken off their ventilators and moved to a neighbouring hospital. Eight fire engines and 50 officers remain at the site, but an administrative centre has been set up in the building to keep patients informed.
Fire investigation Extremely grateful
At its height, up to 125 firefighters were at the scene in Chelsea. Cally Palmer, chief executive of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are working as quickly as we can to get the Chelsea hospital up and running and our main priority is to ensure continuity of care for our patients.
Fire investigators are searching for evidence to establish the cause of the fire. "We are extremely grateful to all the help given to us by our neighbouring hospitals."
Five operating theatres and two wards have been badly affected.
Patients will continue to receive their treatment from Royal Marsden specialist teams either at the Royal Brompton or the Royal Marsden's sister site in Sutton.
The last 24 hours have seen Britain at its best PM Gordon Brown
Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the Royal Brompton Hospital with his wife Sarah and Health Secretary Alan Johnson.
He described the fire as "one of the biggest emergencies that the health service has ever seen".
Mr Brown said: "The last 24 hours have seen Britain at its best."
He praised staff for saving equipment and added: "We will now do everything in our power to make sure the Royal Marsden can be up and running as quickly as possible.
Rebuilding work
"The rebuilding work will start immediately."
About 800 staff and up to 160 patients were evacuated during the fire, including two patients undergoing surgery.
Fire investigators are searching for evidence to establish the cause of the fire which broke out shortly before 1330 GMT on Wednesday.
It is understood investigations will include the area where construction work was taking place.It is understood investigations will include the area where construction work was taking place.
David Brown, assistant commissioner of the London Fire Brigade (LFB), said: "A plant room has been involved in the fire but it is too early to say exactly where the fire started."
Five operating theatres and two wards have been badly affected while much of the roof was destroyed by the fire which broke out shortly before 1330 GMT on Wednesday.
The bulk of the work is damage control and looking after the hospital facilities. Graham HowgateLondon Fire Brigade
Eight fire engines and 50 officers remained on site on Thursday morning.
Six people in intensive care were among the 79 in-patients moved to other hospitals.Six people in intensive care were among the 79 in-patients moved to other hospitals.
Out-patients were taken to the nearby church of St Paul in Onslow Square before being admitted to other hospitals or allowed to go home.Out-patients were taken to the nearby church of St Paul in Onslow Square before being admitted to other hospitals or allowed to go home.
Two members of the public and two members of staff were treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire started on the fourth floor and destroyed much of the roof
Several patients had to be laid on mattresses in an ambulance area on Dovehouse Street while nursing staff led others away from the scene wrapped in blankets.
One patient, Carole Williams, was in bed when the alarm sounded.
"I could smell smoke, and we were told to get out."
The 55-year-old mother-of-four added that "there was no panic whatsoever".
The Royal Marsden was the first hospital in the world dedicated to cancer treatment and research, seeing more than 40,000 patients from the UK and abroad every year.The Royal Marsden was the first hospital in the world dedicated to cancer treatment and research, seeing more than 40,000 patients from the UK and abroad every year.