More than 20 staff at Hairmyres Hospital are now self-isolating following a late night blaze at a COVID intensive care ward.
NHS bosses say staff in East Kilbride went “above and beyond” to ensure patients’ safety when a fire broke out shortly before 10pm on Thursday – but 21 have been “exposed to the risk of COVID-19”.
Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and investigations are ongoing in to the cause of the fire.
Three fire crews raced to the hospital with ward one – the COVID ITU ward caring for 13 patients – and two adjacent wards evacuated.
No one was seriously injured, although three people were assessed by hospital staff.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also heaped praise on staff, taking to Twitter to thank them for their “heroic” actions in a “frightening incident” for all involved.
No patients were transferred to other sites but emergency patients were being diverted to other hospitals due to fire damage and disruption.
However, NHS Lanarkshire say Accident and Emergency reopened as of 5pm on Friday.
Judith Park, acting director of acute services, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Following a fire which broke out in ward one at Hairmyres Hospital, several staff went above and beyond to put patient, and other staffs’, safety first.
“A multi-disciplinary team effort ensured that patients were safely evacuated.
“At this time, 21 staff have been identified as requiring to self-isolate following exposure to the risk of COVID-19. A test and protect exercise has been carried out.
“No further information is available on the cause of the fire, which is currently under investigation and all patients remain stable.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We were alerted to reports of a building fire at Hairmyres Hospital. Operations Control mobilised three appliances to the scene, where crews assisted NHS partners with an evacuation of three wards as they worked to extinguish the fire on the first floor.
“Three casualties were assessed by hospital staff.
“Firefighters left after making the area safe.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a fire at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride around 10.25pm on Thursday, October 29.
“Officers attended to assist other emergency services and NHS staff. Nobody was seriously injured.
“The fire is being treated as non-suspicious and Police Scotland will support the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service which is currently leading on further investigations.”
Families of patients also took to the News Facebook Page to thank staff.
Susan Dragoonis posted: “Amazing work by everyone, my uncle was on a ventilator fighting through COVID when this happened and they kept him safe.”
Anne Paterson added: “My brother was in the IC ward on a ventilator and thanks to the NHS staff was safely moved to another ward.”
