Hospital patients moved out after fire

Elderly and stroke ward had to be evacuated

A ward where elderly and stroke patients were being cared for has been evacuated after a fire at a hospital in Londonderry.

The fire at Altnagelvin Hospital was discovered in a vacant ward near the elderly care facilities at about 1950 BST on Monday.

About 66 patients had to be taken out of their nearby the ward.

The hospital said the fire, police and ambulance services were immediately contacted and the fire was brought under control.

The hospital said that all the patients were being assessed after the evacuation.

A telephone helpline has been set up for concerned relatives. They have been asked to call 028 71611368.

The fire service is investigating the cause of the blaze.

In January 2001 the police said they believed a fire in the basement of the mortuary at Altnagelvin Hospital was started deliberately.