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Fire crews tackle large blaze at disused hospital building

Fubar News Flames engulf a large building at night, with thick smoke billowing into the sky as fire spreads through the roof and windows.Fubar News
The serious fire was tackled overnight into Tuesday

Fire crews worked through the night to tackle a blaze that broke out in a disused hospital building in Aberdeen.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said about 60 firefighters and multiple appliances - which included specialist resources - were sent to Woodend Hospital after the alarm was raised just before 21:50 on Monday.

NHS Grampian said the blaze was in the Westholme building, a disused office block about 60m (197ft) from the closest hospital building.

Fire crews left the scene on Tuesday afternoon and confirmed there were no injuries.

An SFRS spokesperson said: "Crews worked overnight to contain the incident to the first floor and parts of the ground floor, preventing further fire spread."

Firefighters in a height vehicle using water to dampen down the shell of a building hit by fire.
Crews have been dampening down at the scene

NHS Grampian said that no patients or staff currently occupied the building.

"Services and appointments at Woodend Hospital are running as scheduled today and patients should attend as normal," a statement said.

"Site roads adjacent to the disused office building affected by last night's fire are cordoned off and patients should enter the site from Eday Road. Our outpatient car parks remain open.

"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland remain at the scene of the blaze and we'd very much like to thank them for their efforts."

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) station commander Mike Elder in uniform at scene of hospital fire.
Mike Elder said crews faced a well-developed fire

"Initial crews were faced with quite a well-developed fire which rather quickly escalated," SFRS station commander Mike Elder told BBC Scotland News.

"Crews did really well to get on top of it and prevent in spreading to the annexe building next door."

He added: "There was no risk to patients or staff."

Elder said meetings had been convened to ensure everyone, such as health officials, knew the situation overnight.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Inquiries to establish the full circumstances are at an early stage."