'Faulty electrics' caused hospital restaurant fire

Defective electrics in a chiller led to a fire at Leicester Royal Infirmary, investigators have found.

A total of 10 fire crews from across Leicestershire were involved in the operation to tackle a fire inside the catering area of the hospital late on Saturday.

On Tuesday, the fire service confirmed the cause of the fire had been ruled as accidental and was due to "faulty electrics" in a chilled food storage area.

Jon Melbourne, chief operating officer and deputy chief executive of the University of Leicester Hospitals Trust, said on Sunday that no one was harmed in the incident.

However, "severe" heat and fire damage had been caused to the food stores while "moderate" smoke damage had been left in nearby rooms and corridors, added the fire brigade.

Firefighters were initially called at about 22:55 BST on Saturday to reports of a smell of smoke in the restaurant area.

Crews from Leicester alongside Wigston, Melton Mowbray, Birstall, Kibworth, Shepshed, Coalville and Loughborough attended overnight and into Sunday to provide "ongoing relief" and carry out investigations.

Leicestershire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service also attended.

The restaurant at the hospital was shut down following the fire.

Mr Melbourne said on Sunday: "Patient catering has been affected and contingency plans are in place to ensure the food and drinks needs of all our patients continue to be met.

"We would like to thank our colleagues at the hospital and partners from the fire, police and ambulance services for their rapid actions."

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