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People have been asked not to use the accident and emergency department at the hospital for the forseeable future. The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, has now been extinguished but led to the evacuation of patients and staff in the emergency department.

Lincolnshire Police Control Room announced the closure at 4.21am on Tuesday (March 29). It said on Twitter: “Due to a fire at A and E in Lincoln hospital, it is currently closed until further notice, please avoid attending.”

No one was hurt, reports Mirror Online.

Witnesses reported seeing at least five fire appliances at the scene.

The fire has caused internal damage and disruption to services, including cancelling appointments.

A United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust statement reads: “We have this morning declared a major incident due to a fire at Lincoln County Hospital.

“Patients and staff were evacuated from the Emergency Department in the early hours of this morning. Nobody was injured and patients are now being cared for in other areas of the hospital. The fire has been extinguished, but our Emergency Department remains closed at this time.

“While we work to reopen our Emergency Department, we ask that you do not to attend the department. If you require non-life-threatening urgent or emergency care, please call 111 or visit NHS 111 online for advice on the most appropriate service for your needs. Please continue to call 999 for life-threatening emergencies.

“Patients who were due to attend a scanning appointment today (X-ray, CT or MRI) are also asked not to attend the hospital. All affected patients will be contacted.”

It is unclear what caused the blaze and the extent of the any damage is yet to be established.

The hospital, which opened in 1776, is the largest in Lincolnshire with more than 600 beds.

It was rated as “Requires Improvement” after its last inspection by healthcare watchdog Care Quality Commission last year.

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