Fire in the LRI restaurant thought to be caused by an electrical fault

No one was harmed

Crews from the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LRFS) attended a catering area of the Leicester Royal Infirmary on Saturday evening (10/05), following a fire at around 11pm. 

A call was received by Fire Control to a smell of smoke in the restaurant area of the hospital.

At the height of the incident, ten pumping appliances, Leicestershire Police and EMAS were at the scene.

The fire was located on the ground floor. At 01:39 (11/05) crews were still damping down and checking for any fire spread. 

A fire investigation was completed and the cause believed to be accidental due to an electrical fault.

Jon Melbourne, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at UHL, said: “A fire was detected in the catering department at the Leicester Royal Infirmary on Saturday night. Fire services quickly attended and contained the fire, and no one was harmed.

“The restaurant is partially closed while the damage and cause are being assessed. There will be no hot food offer for staff and visitors until further notice, but a range of cold food, drinks and refreshments can be purchased from our café and other outlets onsite.

“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.”