Doctor continued surgery as fire ripped through hospital

London: A surgeon on Friday said how she carried on operating on a cancer patient as fire ripped through the Royal Marsden hospital.

Fiona MacNeill and her team stayed calm and finished major reconstructive breast surgery while hundreds of other patients and staff were evacuated.

She described what she called "just another emergency" as parts of the hospital defied expectations and got back to work after Thursday's fire, which caused millions of pounds of damage.

Some outpatient services were back in action yesterday afternoon after urgent repair work. More of the hospital is expected to re-open by tomorrow.

MacNeill, a consultant, was one of two surgeons in theatre when the fire broke out. She said: "I was performing a major breast cancer operation but luckily we were near the end of the procedure. We are trained to operate in emergency situations and to be honest, this was just another emergency.

"I was able to complete the operation without having to rush anything and then we moved the patient into the recovery room, where she woke. We were able to reassure her that everything was fine. Then we moved her to an ambulance and she was transferred to the Royal Brompton.

"They were able to provide fantastic care straight away and she is now doing very well. I hope she will be home in a matter of days. If you think what we were trained to do, then this was not a big thing in comparison. I know this seems like a major event - from our point of view we are trained for this every day."

Appointments off

Hundreds of patients had cancer treatment cancelled or postponed yesterday after the fire ripped through the top floor of the hospital in Fulham Road.

All yesterday's appointments and admissions were originally called off after the blaze forced hundreds to flee the wards.

At least 54 patients were transferred to the Royal Brompton hospital opposite, where some planned surgery had to be put off to accommodate Marsden patients.

But some of the hospital was able to get back to work after an assessment by firefighters and hospital bosses found the damage was not as bad has had been feared. At least half of the roof has burned away and there is major smoke and water damage to at least one operating theatre and two wards.

Arson seems unlikely

The blaze was brought under control last night by 125 firefighters. Thirty were still damping down hotspots yesterday. London Fire Brigade says arson seems unlikely.

Specialist cleaners went in early yesterday morning to start the massive clean-up. Insiders said it could be months before the five basement operating theatres can be used. But the Wallace Wing, where outpatients are seen, has escaped damage.

Breast cancer surgeon Gerald Gui said: "The fire was devastating but not as bad as we thought. We should be able to treat patients. It is a huge relief to all of us."