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Royal Victoria Hospital fire, images show the aftermath
09:43, 13 August 2019
updated: 15:31, 13 August 2019
New images reveal the damage caused by a blaze at a historic hospital.
The blaze at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone began just after 8.30pm, and saw 40 firefighters descend on the on Radnor Park Road site.
Smoke could be seen for miles around as the 1846 community hospital burned, with concerned onlookers gathering on the street amongst the eight fire engines.
The scene at Royal Victoria Hospital this morning
Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus used a main jet and hose reels to fight the fire and carried out a search of the property.
No casualties were reported, but fire investigators and police forensic teams have been seen at the site this morning.
The front doors of the historic building are open, with the boards once covering them lying on the steps.
Somebody who works on the site, but wouldn’t be named, said the fire broke out in two areas, on two different sides of the building. He said it is suspected arson.
Fire engines on the scene last night
Workers on site are now unable to access the building today until a proper investigation has been carried out.
While the site - set to be partially demolished in a flat conversion plan - is fenced off, the minor injury clinic and clinics in the newer part of the hospital remain open.
A tweet from the East Kent Hospitals Trust reads: "Royal Victoria Hospital is open as normal for patients today and is unaffected by the fire that took place in the adjacent building last night.
"Services running as normal. Access to Radnor Park Avenue restricted.
"Advice is to allow some extra time if travelling to the site."
It is not yet known if it will delay demolition work.
