A hospital unit had to be evacuated after a fire early this morning.

The Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit which helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions caught alight at 4am.

Parts of the hospital were evacuated while firefighters tackled the blaze which is now understood to be out.

No-one was hurt in the blaze.

Hospital staff are still waiting for an official report on the damage in the unit and it is unclear as to whether appointments will be cancelled.