Fire crews tackle large blaze at disused hospital building

Fire crews worked through the night to tackle a blaze that broke out in a disused hospital building in Aberdeen.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said about 60 firefighters and multiple appliances - which included specialist resources - were sent to Woodend Hospital after the alarm was raised just before 21:50 on Monday.

Crews remained at the granite building on Eday Road on Tuesday and the SFRS urged those living nearby to keep windows and doors closed.

NHS Grampian said the blaze was in the Westholme building, about 60m (197ft) from the closest hospital building.

There were no reports of injuries.

NHS Grampian said that no patients or staff currently occupied the building.

"Services and appointments at Woodend Hospital are running as scheduled today and patients should attend as normal," a statement said.

"Site roads adjacent to the disused office building affected by last night's fire are cordoned off and patients should enter the site from Eday Road. Our outpatient car parks remain open.

"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland remain at the scene of the blaze and we'd very much like to thank them for their efforts."

"Initial crews were faced with quite a well-developed fire which rather quickly escalated," SFRS station commander Mike Elder told BBC Scotland News.

"Crews did really well to get on top of it and prevent in spreading to the annexe building next door.

"We are concentrating on making sure the fire is extinguished."

He said crews were now dampening down any hotspots.

Elder added: "There was no risk to patients or staff."

He said meetings had been convened to ensure everyone, such as health officials, knew the situation overnight.

Police Scotland also advised the public to avoid the area if possible.

"Inquiries to establish the full circumstances are at an early stage," they added.