Fire crews tackle hospital blaze

The fire broke out on the top floor of the building

Firefighters have brought under control a blaze at the Royal Victoria Hospital complex in west Belfast.

Ten fire engines and two high-reach appliances attended the fire in Bostock House, which is a nurses' residence.

A hospital spokeswoman said the fire was quickly brought under control and no-one was injured.

Gordon Latimer, from the Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze on the top floor of the seven-storey block was accidental but "quite considerable".

"The premises had been fully evacuated before our arrival," he added.

He said "horrendous" weather conditions made the task more difficult for firefighters.

The Royal has a staff of some 6,000, including a quarter of all hospital doctors in the province, and every year it treats about 500,000 people.