Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at a hospital in North Yorkshire.
A building on the Malton Hospital site is well alight.
Several fire crews are on the scene and people are being asked to avoid the area.
Malton and Norton District Hospital
A North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We’re currently responding to an incident involving a building on the Malton and Norton District Hospital site.
“A number of fire crews are on the scene.
“Three main jets are in use and our Aerial Ladder Platform is in attendance.
“Residents and anyone nearby may notice large amounts of smoke. As a precaution, please keep all doors and windows closed.
“Please avoid the area at this time to allow emergency services access.”
Malton councillor Lindsay Burr says the it’s the hospital’s Springwood unit which is on fire.
It provides mental health services for older people. All staff and patients have been safely evacuated and taken to Malton School, she says.
The fire has destroyed the unit.
A York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “We are aware of a fire within the grounds of Malton Hospital.
“All patients and colleagues have been safely evacuated, and there are no reports of any injuries.
“We are working closely with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and other partner agencies to monitor the situation. We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.
“If you have an appointment at Malton Hospital today, please do not attend. Our teams are reviewing all affected appointments, and we will contact you as soon as possible to rearrange or discuss the next steps. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Malton Town Council said: “There is a fire currently at Malton Hospital. Emergency services are on the scene.
“Please be vigilant if you are in the area. There is some ash and debris falling from the sky.
“It may be advisable to keep windows and doors closed where possible. Our thoughts are for the safety of the patients, staff and emergency services at this time.”
Witness John Gelson from Norton told YorkMix: “There is a huge black pool of smoke rising up from the area near Malton Hospital, which can be seen all the way across in both Malton and Norton.
“Lots of people commenting on it as they go around in the town centre this lunchtime.
“I don’t see any special precautions in place, certainly in Norton yet, as far as the smoke is concerned, but I understand there are fire crews coming here from a wide area of both North Yorkshire and the East Riding to take part in this operation.”
