Fire Crews Tackle Blaze at Children`s Hospital

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said it sent two ambulance crews and a car to the scene.

Children were evacuated from London's Great Ormond Street Hospital on Monday after a fire broke out following a suspected gas cylinder explosion, a hospital spokeswoman said.

About 35 firefighters and six engines were sent to tackle the blaze in the cardiac wing on the fifth floor of the hospital. There were no reports of any injuries.

"A major incident plan went into place immediately, the fire brigade was called and it's now under control," the spokeswoman said. "We suspect a gas cylinder was the cause."

There were no immediate details of the extent of the damage or exact numbers of children who had to be evacuated, she added.

Aerial television pictures showed dozens of people who had been evacuated from the building, although there were no signs of smoke or flames.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said it sent two ambulance crews and a car to the scene.

Great Ormond Street was opened in 1852 with the help of patrons including Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria. With about 400 beds, it is famous around the world for its specialist care and research.

In January, a large fire badly damaged the Royal Marsden Hospital, a leading cancer centre in Chelsea, west London.