Hundreds evacuated in Dundee hospital fire

HUNDREDS of NHS staff and a small number of patients were evacuated from Dundee's Ninewells Hospital yesterday, following a fire in the administration block.

The fire at Tayside's main acute hospital broke out in the female nurses' changing room on the fifth level. Firefighters from Tayside Fire and Rescue Service quickly brought the blaze under control as the building was evacuated and there were no reported injuries.

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said: "The changing room, which is in the main supply core block, was extensively damaged and hundreds of employees, mainly administrative staff, had to leave the building as a precautionary measure for a period of around two hours.

"A small number of patients were temporarily evacuated from the day surgery area and radiology department.

"The patients all returned after a short time and patient care has been unaffected."