The children's ward at a Woolwich hospital was evacuated after a fire broke out in a nearby office.

A contractor was injured in the industrial accident which happened at 7.30am today at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Stadium Road.

The children's inpatient 'Safari' ward will be closed for a few days.

Children who were inpatients and still require hospital care will be moved to University Hospital Lewisham (UHL), and others will be discharged.

There will be a temporary ambulance diversion to UHL with any children requiring A&E care.

Children attending QEH A&E who require admission will be transferred to UHL’s children’s ward until Safari ward reopens.

Claire Champion, deputy chief executive and director of nursing and clinical quality said: “We are very sad that the contractor who was working in the office was injured as a result of the incident and our thoughts are with him and his family.

“I would like to say a big thank you to the parents and children for their help and understanding this morning in evacuating the ward as quickly as they did. 

"I am very proud of how our staff managed the incident ensuring that all children were safely evacuated, and continued to receive the care they needed during this time.

"We hope that Safari ward will be re-opened shortly.”