Probe after fire at crisis-hit Stafford Hospital
Stafford Hospital's A&E department was open as normal today following a fire which caused patients to be evacuated.
An extractor fan in the unit burst into flames, sending plumes of black smoke billowing through the unit.
The blaze broke out just before 10am yesterday.
Patients were sent to University Hospital North Staffordshire in Stoke, New Cross in?Wolverhampton, Burton and Walsall Manor.
Those evacuated from the building as the fire broke out today praised staff and emergency services for the way they handled the situation.
Lee Marsden, aged 38, of Avon Road, in Cannock, was waiting for treatment in the A&E department when it happened.
"One of the porters came running in and grabbed the phone in reception saying there was a fire," he said.
"The people in the waiting room were taken outside and people in the actual A&E were taken into ambulances for treatment. Some were taken to other hospitals. It was very calm and the fire engines were there within five minutes of the alarm going off."
Firefighters from Stafford and Stoke put out the flames before ventilating affected rooms.
One patient from Little Haywood, who did not want to be named, said: "It was handled to 100 per cent perfection. There was no panic, they kept us informed and they soon got it sorted."
Patients in A&E and ward six were evacuated and assessed in the back of ambulances. Some were taken to other wards and others were taken to different hospitals including New Cross in Wolverhampton and Walsall Manor.
The A&E unit reopened by 1.30pm.
Staff remained on site throughout the closure to assist any patients who brought themselves to the hospital.
Chris Holt, chief operating officer at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are sorry for the disruption to our A&E service over the past few hour."
