A clinic room in Croydon University Hospital’s A&E has been destroyed following a fire which evacuated around 80 patients.

The fire broke out just before 3pm yesterday (March 5).

The A&E at the hospital currently remains closed but a spokesperson for the Croydon Heath Services NHS Trust said that the department hopes to reopen today as soon as possible.

The brigade took five calls to the blaze at a building on London Road in Thornton Heath and 80 patients were evacuated to continue their care in other parts of the hospital.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to the fire which was brought under control by 5.08pm.

All staff and patients are safe, and the fire is out, but extensive cleaning and safety repairs are to be carried out following the blaze.

The fire was contained within the one clinic room.

The Trust is urging anyone who needs urgent and emergency care to contact NHS 111 for advice and to be directed to the nearest services available to them.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “We are pleased to confirm that the fire in the Emergency Department at Croydon University Hospital on 5 March was quickly put out and contained to only one clinic room.

“Once again, we would like to thank the London Fire Brigade for their fast response who, along with our staff, helped to ensure that all of our patients and staff stayed safe and no one was harmed.

“Our Emergency Department will remain closed whilst extensive cleaning and safety repairs are made, however we hope to open again as early as possible on 6 March, and will provide further updates as soon as they are available.

“All of our other services at the hospital will continue to run, including scheduled surgery and outpatient clinics. Our patients are encourage to attend their appointments as planned.”

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at a hospital on London Road in Thornton Heath.

“A room inside the hospital was destroyed by fire.

“There were no reports of any injuries. Around 80 to 100 people left the building before firefighters arrived.

“The Brigade received five calls about the fire.

“The Brigade was called at 2.58pm and the fire was under control by 5.08pm. Crews from Croydon, Norbury, and Wallington fire stations attended the scene.”