Sunshine Coast University Hospital evacuated due to battery fire

The Sunshine Coast University Hospital was evacuated after a battery fire, with emergency services spending about three hours on the scene.

In an incident in May, staff at the Sunshine Coast health precinct was evacuated after a gas leak at a research lab. Picture: Patrick Woods

A battery fire caused an evacuation at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital on Thursday.

This is the second evacuation at the hospital precinct this year, after a chemical spill at a research lab forced 92 staff outdoors in May.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said six fire crews were called to a fire in a battery storage area at Doherty St in Birtinya about 12.15pm.

He said about 60 batteries were stored in the area and one sparked the fire.

“As a result another five were split,” he said.

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The spokesman said a senior officer and a command vehicle were also called to the incident.

An evacuation did occur but it is unknown how many people were forced to leave the area.

The spokesman said by about 2.20pm “atmospheric monitoring” was taking place and fire crews finished up at the scene about 3.10pm.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said one person was assessed during the incident.

A Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service spokeswoman said the “small” incident occurred in a plant room on the ground floor at the southern end of the building.

“The area was contained, and SCUH emergency response managed the incident with Queensland Fire and Rescue,” she said.

“All patients, staff and visitors are safe.”