The Prime Minister has said he has "nothing but the fullest of praise" for staff and emergency services who evacuated patients safely from hospital wards threatened by flames. (Sky News Thursday 3rd January 2008)Gordon Brown visited London's Royal Marsden Hospital after hundreds of cancer patients and staff had to be evacuated when fire broke out yesterday.
Some 125 firefighters and 25 fire engines were sent to tackle the flames at the the world-renowned cancer centre.
Mr Brown, speaking after meeting patients, nurses and doctors, pledged the Government would do everything in its power to get it "up and running as quickly as possible."
"The rebuilding work will start immediately," he added.
He was shown round the Royal Brompton Hospital, where staff and sick people were moved after the Royal Marsden emergency.
Fire crews, who worked overnight to dampen down the flames, are expected to hand back control of the Royal Marsden in Fulham Road, central London, later.
Hospital chief executive Cally Palmer told Sky News: "It's devastating. But the important thing is that everyone is safe and our patients are doing well."
She said the fire had broken out in a plant room, and had badly affected five operating theatres and at least two wards.
