PA Hospital patients evacuated after mattress fire

A mattress was intentionally lit by a PA Hospital patient last night, forcing all patients and staff in the ward to be evacuated and some treated for smoke inhalation.

Sixty patients at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital were last night forced to evacuate, after a small, intentionally lit fire took hold of a mattress just after midnight.

The Courier-Mail understands a mattress inside the mental health ward of the Woolloongabba hospital was intentionally lit by a patient, before all patients and staff in the ward were forced to leave the building due to smoke inhalation.

A statement from the PAH confirmed the patients were evacuated, while two people required treatment. Both patients were discharged from hospital as of midday Friday.

Staff and patients at the PA were last night forced to evacuate. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“One patient and one staff member required further treatment for smoke inhalation or related medical events as a result of the incident,” the statement said.

“Both are stable and satisfactory in the hospital emergency department.

“All other patients are safe and well.”

Seven firefighting crews arrived on scene within minutes, while the smouldering mattress was extinguished and removed a short time later.

The PAH’s mental health ward will require significant cleaning and maintenance related to the smoke and heat damage, the hospital confirmed.

“Patients are currently being placed in alternative hospital wards at PAH after having been evacuated to a safe area in the main building of PAH.”

The matter, now in the hands of the Queensland Police, will be further investigated, while Metro South Health and the PAH thanked firefighters and the QPS for their help.

It’s unclear if any charges will be laid.