HOSPITAL FIRE UPDATE: East Surrey 'fully operational'

Four fire crews were called to the hospital in Redhill at around 2.15pm

Firefighters spent more than an hour tacking the flames which were extinguished at 3.30pm.

Michael Wilson, chief executive of the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said the blaze broke out in an ambulance near the east entrance of the hospital. The fire then spread to two other ambulances parked alongside it.

He said: “There were no patients involved and all patients and staff are safe. The police, fire and ambulance services were on site within a few minutes and the fire is now under control.”

The hospital was closed to emergencies and patients were diverted through South East Ambulance Service.

Mr Wilson added: “The fire outside East Surrey Hospital is out and the fire service are clearing the area. The hospital is fully open and operational.

“Grateful thanks go to our staff and the fire, police and ambulance teams for their quick response.”

Eyewitnesses said they heard several explosions during the fire which sounded like a ‘bomb’ was exploding.

Crews are still at the scene and are investigating the cause of the fire.

Related stories: VIDEO: ‘Explosions everywhere’ as three ambulances and part of hospital catch fire

HOSPITAL FIRE UPDATE: “It was like a bomb went off”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.