Hospital blaze forces mass evacuation

MORE than 100 patients were evacuated from hospital wards in Aberdeen yesterday after a blaze.

The fire, at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI), started at about 2am on a ward where patients were recovering from surgery.

An ARI spokeswoman said 109 patients were moved to other parts of the hospital.

Fifty firefighters tackled the blaze, a spokesman for Grampian Fire and Rescue Service said.

The ARI spokeswoman added that all patients and staff escaped unscathed.

She said: "Patients were evacuated from that ward. The majority were recovering after their operations.

"Patients from wards in the vicinity of ward 34 were also evacuated as a precaution."

Dr Pauline Strachan, chief operating officer for NHS Grampian, praised staff and firefighters.

She said: "Our top priority has been, and remains, the safety of our patients and our staff and to maintain our hospital services.

"Our senior nurses and managers co-ordinated the moving of patients.

"They continue to co-ordinate activity to make sure there is continuity of care for patients, which includes maintaining their medicines, treatments and medical notes, and that the hospital continues to be able to deliver the services required."