A DANDENONG Hospital staff member was treated for smoke inhalation and patients were evacuated after a fire last week.

Dandenong firefighters contained the fire to one room after arriving at the hospital’s Banksia Ward at 6.40pm on Thursday, 18 May.

Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the blaze, which caused about $50,000 damage.

According to Dandenong Hospital business director Steven Damiani, staff ‘implemented an evacuation plan and led patients to an outside area prior to the brigade arriving’.

The hospital’s sprinkler system was triggered by the fire and caused significant water damage.

“One staff member was affected by smoke but after a medical check-up was found to be well, and one patient attended the emergency department and was also found to be well,” he said.

“Banksia Ward patients have been transferred to another ward, and it will be between five and seven days before Banksia Ward is fully functional.”