Covid intensive care ward at Hairmyres evacuated after fire
- Published
The alarm was raised at University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride shortly before 22:00
A Covid intensive care unit in a South Lanarkshire hospital had to be evacuated after a fire broke out.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said three crews responded to the alert at University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride.
The unit was one of three wards cleared after the blaze started on ward one, which was treating 13 patients for the virus.
The fire was extinguished and three casualties were assessed by staff.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "My thoughts are with everyone caught up in what would have been a frightening incident @wearehairmyres last night. The reports I've had about the fire make very clear that staff responded heroically to ensure the safety of patients. Thank you to them."
Russell Coulthard, site director at the hospital, praised the "magnificent" response after the alarm was raised on the first floor ICU at about 21:45 on Thursday.
Mr Coulthard said: "All patients have been managed safely, with patients within the ward and the adjacent wards moved to other parts of the hospital. No patients have been transferred off site.
"Emergency services fully extinguished the fire and the fire service has declared the site safe."
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Mr Coulthard confirmed no one has been transferred off site but the incident would have an impact on new admissions.
He added: "Due to the damage and disruption of the fire, emergency patients are currently being diverted to the most appropriate hospitals.
"We would like to ask everyone to think carefully before attending the hospital A&E as quicker, alternative solutions could be available.
"We would like to thank the public for their patience and support at this time."
An investigation is under way to to establish the cause.