Lakes District Hospital evacuation

UPDATE 1.45pm

The fire service have left the site. All areas apart from ward are operational. The ward is being aired to get rid of smell, patients are having lunch in the emergency department and anticipate being back on ward shortly.

1.00pm Thursday 21 November

The Queenstown Fire Service is investigating a burning smell and fire alarm activation at Lakes District Hospital.

Mary Cleary Lyons, General Manager, Primary Care & Population Health says that patients and staff were initially evacuated from the ward, emergency department and maternity unit and all were accounted for.

Some patients have since been allowed to return to the emergency department for treatment.

Inpatients are being cared for in the BUPA sitting room until the investigation is complete and the site declared safe.

No active fire or flames have been observed.