Fire in disused hospital building

Fire in disused hospital building

A fire engine heading to the scene was involved in an accident

A fire which destroyed a disused hospital building in Surrey is believed to have been arson.

A derelict ward at the West Park Hospital site in Epsom was destroyed in the fire, which began at about 0300 BST.

The roof of the building, off Horton Lane, caved in as firefighters tackled the flames.

There was further drama when a fire engine heading to the scene crashed, leaving two firefighters injured.

The aerial ladder platform engine lost control at the Tolworth roundabout near the A3 just before 0400 BST.

The two crew members suffered minor injuries and were tended to by a doctor.

It took 30 firefighters to bring the hospital fire under control and it is being treated as suspicious after initial investigations into the cause.

An inquiry has also been opened into the cause of the fire engine crash.