60 staff evacuated after fire breaks out at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Orchard

SINGAPORE - Sixty employees of Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Orchard were evacuated after a fire broke out at one of the hospital's administrative offices on Sunday morning (July 28).

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a statement on its Facebook page that it responded to the fire at 3 Mount Elizabeth Road at about 6.30am.

The fire was confined to an office on the first floor of Block C, SCDF added.

Firefighters put out the flames using a water jet.

The 60 people, who were hospital staff in the immediate vicinity, were evacuated before SCDF's arrival.

No injuries were reported and medical services at the hospital were not affected.

In response to queries, Mount Elizabeth Hospital chief executive officer Noel Yeo said the hospital's top priorities now are to ensure the safety and well-being of its staff and patients, as well as minimise the inconvenience caused to patients and their visitors.

"The hospital is working closely with SCDF to thoroughly investigate and learn from this incident. We will take all steps necessary to prevent such incidents from happening again," Dr Yeo said.

"We apologise for all the inconvenience caused to our patients and visitors, and to our neighbours staying around the hospital," he added.

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This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.