Archive
-
December 2007 (25)
-
November 2007 (25)
-
October 2007 (28)
-
September 2007 (25)
-
August 2007 (18)
Subscribe
Health News RSS feed
Health News
Blaze threatens specialist cancer hospital
A 'very serious' fire has caused extensive damage to London's Royal Marsden Hospital, a leading cancer treatment centre.
The blaze, which has destroyed a large part of the building's roof, is thought to have started at around 1.20pm this afternoon. Staff and patients at the hospital have been evacuated to a nearby church, with some patients relocated to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and the Royal Brompton.
The London Fire Brigade reports that 25 fire engines and 125 fire fighters are attending the blaze. Despite the fire's severity there are not thought to be any injuries.
The Royal Marsden Hospital was the first in the world dedicated to cancer treatment and research. Together with The Institute of Cancer Research, also based on the site, it treats more than 40,000 patients each year.
Professor Ray Powles, formerly head of haematooncology at the Royal Marsden, told BBC News that losing the hospital would be a 'huge step back' for cancer treatment.
'It's unbelievable what would happen if it burned down,' he said. 'It would be a huge, huge step back for all the patients being treated there, and a huge, huge step back for cancer [treatment].'
Category: Healthcare
Latest News Stories