A fire erupted on the eighth floor of the Tower Block at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital early Tuesday morning, prompting the evacuation of patients and monitoring of staff for smoke inhalation.
The incident occurred just before 8 a.m. on Ward 8A, where a malfunctioning battery unit powering a mobile computer sparked a small fire. Fire services responded swiftly, and the blaze was quickly contained, with no ongoing risk to patients or staff.
In an official statement, Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals confirmed that no patients were harmed, though several were temporarily relocated to other wards as a precaution. The affected ward has been closed to allow for thorough cleaning and ventilation.
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“We apologise to patients and relatives for any disruption caused by these temporary moves,” the hospitals stated. “We are also monitoring some staff members for smoke inhalation as a safety precaution.”
Chief Operating Officer Al Sheward praised the fire service and hospital staff for their rapid and coordinated response. “Their unwavering focus on patient safety and mutual support truly made a difference. Their efforts were exceptional,” he said.
The hospital trust continues to ensure patient safety remains the top priority as the ward undergoes remediation.