AROUND 18 patients were evacuated from a community hospital in Wimborne following a coolant leak from a fridge on Friday night.

Two fire crews from Wimborne and two from Poole, including the incident support unit, were called to Victoria Hospital in Wimborne at 6pm. They found a fridge used for drug storage leaking ammonia coolant in a medical room.

Police officers and ambulance crews were also called to the scene as the leaking chemicals were judged to be potentially hazardous.

Crews placed a 30-metre cordon around the scene before donning specialist clothing and breathing apparatus to isolate and decontaminate the fridge.

Patients were given medical checks but found to be uninjured. All but one were transferred to St Leonard’s Hospital along with medical staff.

Group manager, Phil Head, hazardous materials advisor to crews on the scene, said crews had worked to “the worst possible scenario” case because of the chemicals.

A spokesperson from Dorset Community Health Services, said: “Dorset Community Health Services decided to evacuate its patients last night as a precautionary measure and we confirm that no patients were injured.

“The hospital is not closed, and the ward that was affected is expected to reopen early next week.”

“The source was identified as being ammonia coolant leaking from a fridge that was used for drug storage.

A full investigation will be undertaken to identify how this event occurred.”