Kidderminster Hospital closes front entrance as fire crews deal with medical equipment explosion

Fire crews from Wyre Forest and Droitwich fire stations were called to the hospital on Bewdley Road at 9.35am following reports of the explosion and worked to contain the small fire.

The front entrance to the hospital was closed off, with anyone visiting the hospital told to access the hospital via the entrance on Sutton Road.

The crews have remained at the scene, although Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said there had been no impact to the hospital services from the explosion.

A spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said: "Three fire engines were called to the scene at 9.35am, with two from Wyre Forest and one from Droitwich travelling to the scene, after reports of a small explosion in a piece of medical equipment.

"We are asking people to stay away from the main entrance to the hospital and access the hospital via Sutton Road.

"There is no impact to the hospital services, but we are asking people to go via Sutton Road, rather than Bewdley Road, for the time being."

Kiddeminster resident, Sue Carroll, arrived at the hosptial shortly before 10am for an appointment, she said she was surprised at the incident. 

She said: " I had to get off my bike to let a fire engine go past.

"It was lucky I was on my bike as people who had driven there were stuck in the car park and at risk of picking up a parking ticket." 

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Officers assisted the fire service this morning (9 May) after a piece of medical equipment exploded in the car park at Kidderminster General Hospital.

"A 50-metre cordon is currently in place in the car park close to the MRI unit, as a precaution whilst firefighters attend.

"Police were called to the scene at around 10.10am. No injuries have been reported."

Worcestershire NHS Trust have been contacted for a comment.