Updated 5:25pm, Wednesday: Firefighters have extinguished a small fire in a lift shaft at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
The blaze, caused by a spark in the plant room igniting oil, was reported in an area undergoing construction work around 4pm on Wednesday.
A Tasmania Fire Service spokesperson said there were no injuries.
“Investigation has determined the cause to be accidental,” they said. “Firefighters have checked the area and have rendered it safe.”
Earlier: Firefighters are working to extinguish a fire in a lift shaft at the Royal Hobart Hospital after the alarm was raised this afternoon.
Three crews were dispatched to the hospital around 4pm on Wednesday following reports of a blaze in an area undergoing construction work.
Two crews from Hobart and one from Glenorchy attended the scene.
Construction workers had attempted to tackle the flames with a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived.
Tasmania Fire Service crews are now accessing the affected section of the lift shaft to determine the extent of the fire and whether it has spread.
A spokesperson said early indications suggest the blaze has been contained to the initial area.
“Crews are now accessing the affected section of the lift shaft and checking for fire extension, although early indications suggest the fire has not spread,” they said.
Firefighters will remain at the hospital until the area is confirmed safe.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and an investigation will be conducted once the scene is secure.
It remains unclear whether any hospital services have been affected or if any areas of the building have been evacuated.
