Fire at Gransha was deliberate - Fire & Rescue Service

Staff at the facility immediately implemented evacuation procedures as two Fire & Rescue appliances were dispatched from Crescent Link Station after a call about the blaze was received at 6.13pm on Tuesday night.

A Fire & Rescue spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to an incident involving a fire in a first floor bedroom of the hospital.

“A man in his 50s was removed from the room and treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by hospital staff.

“The building was evacuated before the arrival of fire crews. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire has been determined as deliberate.

A Western Health and Social Care Trust spokesperson meanwhile confirmed: “There was a small fire at a facility on the Gransha Park site yesterday evening.

“Staff at the facility commenced the evacuation process immediately, following their fire training guidelines.

“The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) were alerted and attended the facility. Thankfully, no patient or member of staff came to any harm during the incident. The Western Trust would like to commend the staff who handled the incident so promptly and the NIFRS who controlled and distinguished the fire.”

PSNI detective Detective Inspector McStravick said: “It was reported that there was a fire in one of the rooms in the building. Enquiries are continuing and at this stage.

“We would appeal to anyone with any information to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1096 12/2/19. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

The Fire & Rescue Service said the incident was dealt with by 6.52pm.