HOSPITAL patients had to be stretchered out to safety this evening after a screwdriver-wielding attacker started a fire at Leeds General Infirmary.
Police were called to the hospital shortly before 6pm to reports of a man threatening staff and trying to start a fire.
Footage from the scene showed patients being wheeled outside on stretchers, as six fire engines and police crews stood by.
One witness at the scene told the Yorkshire Evening Post, smoke had filled the corridors in several areas of the hospital.
He said: “I heard that the smoke was filling up the corridors from A and E up to ICU and Theatres (one level up).”
Cops confirmed a man was arrested and remains in custody.
Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service put out the fire inside.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “The area was evacuated and officers attended, located and arrested a man.
“West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also attended the hospital and extinguished fire inside the affected area.”
No-one is believed to have been injured in the incident.
A spokesperson for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We can confirm that there was a small fire at Leeds General Infirmary this evening.
“The fire was extinguished quickly and nobody was injured.
“Staff and patients were evacuated from the building for a short period and police investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.”
