Firefighters continue to be at the scene of a fire at the disused maternity ward at Queen Mary’s Hospital on Frognal Avenue in Sidcup. They are damping down a number of pockets of fire that remain inside the building.
At the height of the incident 15 fire engines and 97 firefighters and officers dealt with the blaze that destroyed most of the first floor and half of the roof. Fire crews prevented the fire from affecting other parts of the hospital.
Bexley Borough Commander, Richard Welch said:
"Firefighters have worked extremely hard at this challenging fire within a derelict maternity ward. We tackled the fire internally and needed the number of firefighters to regularly change the crews wearing breathing apparatus. Thankfully no working parts of the hospital were affected."
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said:
"The fire in the building next to Queen Mary's Hospital is under control. London Fire Brigade will be there all day. There were no injuries or damage to the hospital buildings. This building is not owned or operated by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. It is owned by a housing association.
"The fire has not affected services in Queen Mary's Hospital - all are running as usual and patients can attend as normal.
We are grateful to the fire brigade for bringing the fire under control so quickly."
The Brigade was called at 1900 and the fire was under control at 0203. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire crews from Sidcup, Eltham, Orpington, Bromley, Bexley and Plumstead were among the stations at the incident.