I deeply regret that a fire broke out in the tailor's shop at this hospital at 6.40 a.m. on Friday, 29th November. The fire brigade arrived promptly and by 7.31 a.m. the fire was under control. At about 9.50 a.m., while officers of the fire brigade and members of the hospital staff were inspecting the damage to ascertain the cause of the fire, the central tower collapsed, killing six people, including three fire brigade officers, a male nurse, the hospital printer, and a Polish patient, and injuring 15 others. The injured, none of whom were patients, are progressing satisfactorily. As a precaution some 340 patients have been moved, 132 to other hospitals.

The inquest will open on Wednesday. 4th December, and the Regional Hospital Board is arranging for an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident.

I would like to express my deepest sympathy with the relatives of those killed and injured in this tragic occurrence and my deep appreciation of the courage and devotion of all members of the hospital staff, the fire service, the Civil Defence teams and others engaged in the work of rescue.