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HOSPITAL INFERNO
‘Arsonist’ at Tamworth hospital sparks massive fire forcing ‘screaming’ mental health patients to flee as man is arrested
Flames ripped through a mental health facility at Sir Robert Peel Hospital in Tamworth last night
A MAN has been arrested for arson after a huge fire ripped through a hospital in Staffordshire last night.
A building was left completely gutted after the flames engulfed the health centre at Sir Robert Peel Hospital in Tamworth.
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Plumes of thick smoke billowed over nearby roads and buildings as firefighters spent hours battling the blaze.
The fire erupted in the George Bryan Centre - where people are treated for mental health issues.
A total of 11 patients and staff were evacuated to neighbouring medical centres with some losing all of their personal possessions in the inferno.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said one mental health patient fled the scene - with witness reports claiming a woman was seen running down a nearby street screaming.
One man told : "I was stood just near a set of traffic lights and I could still feel the heat from across the road.
Some people at the scene said police had attended a woman who had been running in the road screaming.
Witness
"Before I arrived, some people at the scene said police had attended a woman who had been running in the road screaming."
Cops confirmed this morning that one suspect had been arrested in relation to the blaze.
A spokesman said: "A 43-year-old man, from Tamworth, has been detained on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire at the George Bryan Medical Centre in Tamworth last night."
A fire and rescue spokesman said the blaze started at 8.52pm and spread through the roof of the facility.
Some 10 crews from Staffordshire, West Midlands and Warwickshire fire services were deployed as fire took hold at the facility, prompting the evacuation.
The fire was "severe'' with "quite a lot of the building involved'', the spokesman said.
"We're trying to sacrifice part of the building and let that burn to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the hospital," he added.
Witnesses spoke of "chaos" as flames towered over the local area.
FIRE CHAOS
Bradley Stokes, 24, told The Sun Online: "I ran down and it was worse than I imagined.
"I could see it from the town centre, I live half a mile away and I could still see the flames.
"There were 40 or more people here - it was chaotic and the flames were huge."
Tara, 34, said: "My mum has been a patient here for the last month due to mental health issues, she was in the west wing where the fire happened.
"All the staff and patients are fine but she’s really upset because all her stuff has burnt. She’s really distressed."
I ran down and it was worse than I imagined... it was chaotic and the flames were huge.
Bradley Stokes, witness
Callum Horne, 22, said: "I was playing football at Rawlett School, which is about three miles away, and we could see flames from there."
Locals have taken to Twitter to express their concern.
One man wrote: "Shocking scenes. Tamworth’s only mental health provider on fire. Hope everything’s okay."
Another Twitter user said: Shocked to read of the fire at #Tamworth hospital #mentalhealth unit. Here’s hoping all are safe."
One man wrote: "Fire at tamworth mental hospital, sending prayers."
Staffordshire Police confirmed no one was hurt in the fire last night.
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A spokesman said: "Officers are currently working in partnership with colleagues from Staffordshire Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service at the scene of a fire at the George Bryan Medical Centre in Tamworth. There are no reported casualties.
"All occupants and staff have been evacuated from the centre and are being transferred to other local medical centres.
"The area remains closed whilst the fire service continue to control the fire."
Christopher Pincher, the Conservative MP for Tamworth, said he was "very concerned" by the fire.
He wrote on Twitter: "I very much hope that there are no injuries and wish all the best to our local fire crews, Police and emergency services".
Were YOU in the hospital when the fire started? Call: 020 778 24376 or email [email protected]
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Massive fire breaks out at Staffordshire hospital as dozens of firefighters battle blaze
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