A SECTION of Poole Hospital was evacuated in the early hours of this morning after the smell of gas was reported.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 1.50am on Friday, May 6, following reports that the smell of gas was detected within an area of the hospital.

Two crews from Poole were mobilised and, on arrival, a full check of the premises carried out with Gas Board using gas monitoring equipment. A number of people were evacuated from the affected area, but no gas readings were detected and at 4.07am the call to stop came.

Crews remained on scene until 4.15am.

Libby Beesley, head of emergency preparedness, resilience and response, said: “Firefighters attended Poole Hospital in the early hours of Friday morning following a suspected gas leak.

“A small number of patients were moved from part of the emergency department as a precaution to another hospital department while the cause was investigated.

“The department and surrounding areas were thoroughly checked and no gas leak was found and the department was declared safe, with patients moved back within two hours. Patient care was unaffected, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”