Fire in Fiona Stanley Hospital’s ICU injures four, prompts major emergency response as surgeries cancelled

Three hospital staff and a patient are being assessed for injuries after an electrical fault linked to medical equipment caused a major fire in the intensive care unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital on Thursday, prompting an emergency response as staff were evacuated, ambulances diverted and some surgeries cancelled.

Non-urgent visitors were being advised to avoid the hospital, with damage from the fire, smoke and water sprinklers forcing the closure of some areas including outpatient clinics.

The paediatric ED has also been closed, with child patients temporarily sharing a facility with adult patients.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said investigators determined that a fault in an “electrical point” in an ICU room was to blame for the fire, which set off a direct brigade alarm at 10.05am. It is understood powered medical equipment has been linked to the blaze.

Nine fire crews arrived within four minutes of the alarm, and before the fire was contained to the room by 10.24am.

The fire was extinguished within minutes, but it is understood some areas were damaged by water, smoke and fire, with DFES stating “the room the fire originated in, and the neighbouring room has been damaged by smoke mostly”.

Staff in the area were evacuated and a code yellow emergency alert was issued, advising staff of a code red incident in the ICU on level one of the hospital in Murdoch.

A spokesperson for the South Metropolitan Health Service said “three staff members and one patient affected by the incident are stable and receiving appropriate care and support.”

“Remediation and recovery efforts following this morning’s fire at Fiona Stanley Hospital are progressing well, with services steadily returning to normal.

The spokesperson said all outpatient clinics and elective surgeries would resume on Friday.

“The Paediatric Emergency Department remains on ambulance bypass while restoration work continues, with paediatric walk-in patients continuing to be cared for in the Adult Emergency Department until it is safe to return to the dedicated facility.”

“The hospital thanks patients, families, staff and emergency services for their patience and cooperation.

The spokesperson said residual damage from water and smoke forced the temporary closure of services at the hospital.

“The hospital’s well-developed business continuity plans have been enacted. This includes cautionary but necessary actions including patient relocation from the ward where the fire commenced, short term ambulance diversions and disruption to some surgical and outpatient services.”

During Parliament question time on Thursday Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the cause of the fire remained under investigation.

“I did want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the staff at Fiona Stanley, who are managing a very difficult situation, as well as all of the supporting emergency personnel and others for their swift action, ensuring that patient, staff, and safety and visitor safety remains the priority at this difficult time,” she said.