22 Aug 2017

Detectives investigating hospital fire

5:12 pm on 22 August 2017

A fire at a Dunedin psychiatric hospital is being investigated by the police.

The main block of Wakari Hospital.

Wakari Hospital Photo: RNZ / Lydia Anderson

Three staff from Wakari Hospital were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire broke out in a small room of Ward 9A, a secure unit, at about 10am this morning.

Four ambulances and three fire engines attended.

A police spokesperson said the criminal investigation branch was investigating the cause of the blaze.

The Southern District Health Board said its staff contained and extinguished the fire and no patients needed treatment. Staff were taken to Dunedin Hospital as a precaution.

The ward is among those for patients charged or suspected of a criminal offence and patients with acute mental disorders.

A St John spokesperson said the fire had been in a couch at the facility.