A patient has died following a Fire in the Western General Hospital. North Edinburgh News understands that the male patient had gone to the toilet on his ward to have a cigarette when the fire started.
The Fire Brigade were called to extinguish the fire.
A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said “We attended a call at the Western General Hospital on Wednesday to deal with a Fire. We understand the male had been taken for treatment prior to our arrival, this is now one the Police will deal with following the subsequent death”
Despite this NHS Lothian remain tight-lipped and are keen to separate the Fire at the Hospital from the patients death, Chief Operating officer, Jackie Sansbury said “A small fire broke out in a ward at the Western General Hospital. Thanks to the quick response from staff, all patients were evacuated and returned to the ward”
Sansbury added, “Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were called to put out the fire and are investigating the cause”
Firefighters are appealing to residents to take precautions after several very close calls following a spate of wilful fire-raising in Edinburgh.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service have attended a number of deliberate fires in north Edinburgh in recent weeks, which could easily have resulted in casualties.
The West Pilton Children's Centre was burned down earlier this year (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Tony Collins, Watch Commander at Crewe Toll Fire Station speaks of one of his recent experiences: “Blue Watch were mobilised to a fire outside a two- storey property in Pilton at 8.40pm on Sunday night. It turned out a lean –to structure was on fire, filled with old furniture and other highly flammable materials. When we arrived, the flames had reached the eaves of the building and had melted the gutter. The first floor flat’s bathroom window had cracked, and was, in my opinion seconds away from failing and allowing the fire to spread into the occupied first floor flat.
“Thankfully we caught the fire just in time and there were no casualties, a few minutes later and it could have been a very different outcome.”
David Lockhart, Community Safety Manager for the Service said: “These incidents are very serious as fire can easily spread into properties causing severe damage and endangering people’s lives. Wilful fire-raising is a crime and we work together with the Police to reduce incidents like these. However, residents can also play their part to reduce the risk of something similar happening near their property.
“Don’t leave clutter such as old furniture or rubbish lying around outside your property or in your common stair, discard it properly, find a secure place to store it or arrange with the council to have items uplifted. Keep wheelie bins out of sight, ideally in a secure location such as a locked bin store or garage. Keep communal areas tidy and free of combustible materials which can be attractive to fire setters.
“If parents have concerns or suspicions that their children may be involved in fire-raising they can seek assistance from the fire service or the police. Look out for small burn holes in carpets, clothing or furniture, hidden or missing matches or lighters, a smell of smoke on clothing or evidence of burnt paper or plastic. This behaviour should be addressed to protect those involved from coming to harm or harming others.”
For further fire safety advice or to find out how to access help or assistance from the Fire Service visit www.lbfire.org.uk or call free on 0800 169 0320. To report information regarding suspected wilful fire-raising call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .
