Cars stuck at Addenbrooke’s Hospital after major fire

Vehicle owners are waiting to retrieve their cars after more than 30 firefighters tackled a large blaze in a hospital’s multi-storey car park.

The fire service said it sent 12 crews to deal with a “major incident” at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge at 16:16 GMT on Saturday.

Multiple vehicles were affected on the second floor of car park one, a spokesperson said, but no-one was believed to be injured. Police and the ambulance service were at the scene.

The fire service told the BBC a structural engineer needs to check the building and ensure it is safe before firefighters can re-enter or members of the public can collect their vehicles.

It is understood a multi-agency meeting will take place on Sunday morning to decide on the next steps.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said anyone whose vehicle was in car park one should make alternative travel arrangements and added “we will support you to do this”.

“We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and thank you for your understanding,” they said.

At the scene at about 19:00, BBC reporter Matthew Webb said that while he could not see any flames he could hear “lots of alarms going off”.

Crews from Suffolk, Essex and Hertfordshire were sent to help deal with the fire.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire Service said the blaze had been extinguished on Saturday evening and an investigation would take place to establish the cause.

“We want to thank those affected for their patience,” they added.

A hospital spokesperson said anyone due to arrive by car at the site should allow extra time.

Residents were urged to avoid the area, with road closures affecting Robinson Way, Puddicombe Way, Adrian Way and Richard Howe Way.