There was a “known fire risk” at Altnagelvin hospital in Derry, it has emerged, after 120 patients were evacuated due to a major blaze at the weekend – the second fire at the hospital in a month.
The blaze broke out on Friday evening on the roof of the 11-storey tower block and required 11 fire engines and about 50 firefighters to bring it under control. No one was injured and the hospital’s AE unit remained open throughout, although surgical procedures were put on hold. There was extensive smoke and water damage to the seven evacuated wards.
Most affected patients were accommodated elsewhere in the hospital.
It was the second fire in a month at the hospital. Just over a fortnight ago, a small blaze broke out in an electrical switch room on the seventh floor of the tower block.
Foyle SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey has called for an immediate inspection.