Fire at Aintree University Hospital. Patients evacuated

Fire crews have been called to a fire at Aintree University Hospital, Longmoor Lane, Aintree this morning.

Six fire engines are in attendance. Crews were alerted at 4.34am and on scene at 4.40am.

On arrival crews found that a plant building on the roof of a three-storey building next to Accident & Emergency was involved in a fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rapidly began to fight the fire to prevent escalation while liaising with staff to evacuate patients from the areas near to the fire.

Power has been isolated to the electrical unit and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are fighting the fire with high pressure hose reels and CO2 extinguishers. Patients have been evacuated from the first and second floors and there are no reports of any casualties.

The incident is ongoing, more information to follow.

UPDATE 8.00AM

There are now eight fire engines on scene. Fire crews are continuing to suppress the fire in a rooftop plant room wearing breathing apparatus and using CO2 extinguishers. Police cordons are in place around the area of the incident. More information to follow.

UPDATE 10.00AM

The incident has now been scaled down to four pumps. Firefighting operations continue on the roof in a battery storage room. Crews are monitoring temperatures with on-site engineers and firefighters formulating plans to remove the affected batteries to a place of safety. Firefighters have worked extremely effectively with hospital staff to quickly and safely evacuate patients and staff to safe areas where treatment can continue with as little disruption as possible.