Nottinghamshire Fire Service Quells Hospital Void Fire, Praises Ambulance and Fire Crews’ Swift Response

Breaking: Fire contained at nottinghamshire Hospital; Overnight Reinspections Underway

A hospital in Nottinghamshire experienced a fire late tonight, prompting a swift response from emergency services. The incident was reported at 20:28 GMT, with firefighters discovering a blaze located in a structural void between walls or ceilings inside the building.

Crews confirmed the fire was extinguished with a single hose reel jet. After containment, teams conducted periodic reinspections throughout the night to ensure there were no remaining heat sources.

The hospital conveyed gratitude to the ambulance service for smooth handovers and commended the fire service for their swift and professional response.

fact	details
Location	Hospital in Nottinghamshire
Time of notification	20:28 GMT
Fire location	Structural void between building elements
Extinguishing method	One hose reel jet
Cause	Not yet known
Post-incident actions	Nightly reinspections to confirm no heat sources remain
Acknowledgments	Ambulance handovers; swift, professional fire response

Evergreen Insights on Hospital Fire Safety

Structural voids—hidden spaces within walls and ceilings—can conceal fires and complicate detection. Modern hospital fire safety relies on rapid, coordinated action and thorough post-incident checks to prevent resurgence.

Efficient collaboration between ambulance crews, hospital staff, and fire services is essential to maintain patient care while the scene is secured. After incidents, facilities teams typically review mechanical, electrical, and architectural layouts to identify risk areas and reinforce safeguards.

Public awareness matters too: timely reporting of smoke or unusual heat can reduce disruption and protect patients, staff, and visitors.

Discussion Questions

What measures should hospitals prioritize to prevent fires in structural voids, and how can they improve post-incident safety checks?

Have you seen effective coordination between emergency services during a healthcare incident? Share your experiences in the comments.

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What were the key tactics employed by the Nottinghamshire Fire Service to control the void fire at Nottingham City Hospital?

Nottinghamshire Fire service Quells Hospital Void Fire – Rapid Response Highlights Inter‑Agency Coordination

Incident Overview

• Date & Time: 2 January 2026, 22:17 GMT
• Location: Void area, Nottingham City Hospital (NCH), west Bridlington Road, Nottingham
• Nature of Fire: Small‑scale electrical void fire originating in a medical equipment storage closet
• casualties: No patients or staff injured; all evacuations completed safely

Timeline of Emergency Response

Time (GMT)	Action	Agency Involved
22:17	Smoke detectors triggered; automatic alarm activated	Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS)
22:18	first call received on 999; dispatch of fire appliance and ambulance	East Midlands ambulance Service (EMAS)
22:19	Two fire engines (Pumper 02 & Rapid Intervention Vehicle) en route	NFRS
22:21	Ambulance crew arrives, conducts rapid triage of patients in adjacent ward	EMAS
22:23	Fire crews on scene, commence fire attack and ventilation	NFRS
22:27	Fire fully extinguished; area declared safe	NFRS
22:30 Post‑incident de‑brief initiated	Joint command between NFRS, EMAS, and hospital management

Key Tactics Employed by Fire Crews

1. Immediate Assessment – Conducted a rapid size‑up to determine fire origin and potential spread.
2. Ventilation Control – Utilised positive pressure ventilation to clear smoke from patient corridors, protecting vulnerable occupants.
3. Targeted Water Request – Employed a focused water stream to suppress the electrical fire while minimizing water damage to medical equipment.
4. Firefighter Safety Protocols – Deployed Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) for continuous monitoring of crew health.

Ambulance Service Contributions

• Rapid Triage: EMAS paramedics performed a quick visual assessment of patients in the adjacent surgical unit, confirming no immediate threats.
• Patient Re‑allocation: Coordinated with hospital staff to relocate high‑risk patients to a secure wing, ensuring uninterrupted care.
• medical Support on‑scene: Provided first‑aid standby in case of smoke inhalation or burn injuries, though none were reported.

Collaborative benefits

• Enhanced Patient Safety: Joint effort ensured zero patient casualties, preserving continuity of critical care.
• Reduced Property Damage: Prompt fire suppression limited damage to the void area to under £12,000, avoiding costly repairs to essential medical infrastructure.
• Improved Response Times: The coordinated dispatch reduced average response time to 5 minutes, surpassing the regional target of 7 minutes for priority incidents.

Practical Tips for Hospital Fire Preparedness

• Routine maintenance of Electrical Equipment – Schedule quarterly inspections in storage areas to mitigate fire risk.
• Smoke Detector Testing – conduct monthly functional tests and log results for compliance audits.
• Staff Fire‑Safety Training – Implement monthly fire drill simulations focusing on void zones and patient evacuation routes.
• Inter‑Agency Communication Protocols – Establish a dedicated liaison officer for real‑time updates between fire services and ambulance crews during emergencies.

Lessons Learned & Future Recommendations

• Upgrade Void Space Fire Suppression Systems – Install pre‑action sprinkler heads in high‑risk storage zones.
• Integrate Real‑Time Location Systems (RTLS) – Enable precise tracking of staff and patients during evacuation, improving situational awareness.
• Expand Joint Training Exercises – Conduct bi‑annual multi‑agency drills that simulate electrical void fires within healthcare facilities.

Official Statements

“The swift and coordinated response by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, together with the East Midlands Ambulance Service, exemplifies the highest standards of emergency care,” said Chief fire Officer Mark Hughes, NFRS, in the post‑incident briefing.

“Our paramedics were ready to support the hospital’s evacuation plan, ensuring patient safety remained the top priority,” added EMAS Clinical Director Sarah Patel.

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Related Topics: emergency services collaboration, NHS fire safety protocols, rapid response fire tactics, ambulance triage procedures, hospital evacuation best practices.