Patients evacuated after fire at city hospital

A fire at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow was likely caused by a discarded cigarette, according to the health board.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were first called to the scene at 9:22 am yesterday, with four appliances in attendance.

But security crews had already extinguished the flames outside the building.

Staff and a number of patients were evacuated.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it had likely been caused by a discarded cigarette.

A spokesman said: “The fire was accidental and likely caused by an inap - propriately discarded cigarette.

“Thanks to our established fire safety protocols and the quick response of our team, there were no injuries and the fire was quickly extinguished.”