BREAKING NEWS: Several Donegal patients are among those being evacuated from wards at Altnagelvin hospital in Derry after a fire broke out in the building.
Almost 50 firefighters and 11 fire appliances and the police are at the scene, made worse as water from tanks on the roof of the building poured down through from the 11th floor.
Letterkenny Hospital was placed on standby to take patients, some being put on buses by drivers who volunteered to help.
The Western Health Trust said it was “reassuring the public that there are no injuries and the incident is under control”.
It has set up helpline numbers for anyone concerned about the fire. They are 004428 7129 6202 and 004428 7129 6204.
In a statement, the trust said: “The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Police Service of Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service are on site assisting with the evacuation of a number of wards.
“Currently evacuation is being facilitated by Translink and their bus service.
“Patients in the affected wards are being transported to appropriate hospital or other care settings,” the trust.
It has advised visitors not to come to Altnagelvin until further notice.
The entrances to the hospital have been closed to all non-emergency personnel.
Letterkenny General Hospital was placed on alert to receive patients.
In a statement, NIAS said it had been alerted that, although the fire was “contained within a relatively small area, other wards had been affected by smoke and water damage”.
Speaking from the scene, Mark H Durkan from the SDLP said it had been a “chaotic evening” and there were “emergency vehicles of all types all over the hospital grounds”.
The Mayor of Derry, Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell has paid tribute to “all the emergency services who worked together to ensure the safety of staff and patients at the hospital”.
“While the emergency service practice for these occasions, tonight’s actions highlight their true professionalism and teamwork under real conditions,” Mr Campbell added.
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