Fire closes hospital emergency department

Middlemore Hospital's emergency department was temporarily closed and patients moved from the coronary care ward after a fire on the hospital's second floor this morning.

Counties Manukau District Health Board chief executive Stephen McKernan said a small fire in a staff administration area was quickly contained by the sprinkler system, but water from the sprinklers had seeped through to the coronary care ward below.

About 15 patients were moved to the cardiac catheter area and the emergency department - also on the floor below the fire - was temporarily closed. Patients were sent to Auckland City Hospital.

The hospital's operating theatres and intensive care unit continued to function normally.

Mr McKernan said no-one was injured and the evacuation of the affected building had gone smoothly. Excess water would be removed and electronic equipment fully tested.

The cause of the fire, which started about 10.30am, was not known. Sixteen fire appliances attended to help with evacuation and water damage.