A REPORT of a fire forced the temporary closure of Croydon University Hospital's A&E department this afternoon.
Firefighters from Croydon Fire Station were called to the hospital after there was a strong smell of smoke at 12.13pm this afternoon.
When firefighters arrived, the emergency department had been evacuated, although firefighters soon found there was no fire.
A Croydon fireman said: "What actually happened was the fan by the door was stuck on the 'on' button so it was constantly on and producing a burning smell which was blowing through the hospital.
"We had to make sure there wasn't anything serious but we took our time and we got crews to investigate the area using thermal cameras."
Fire engines from Croydon Bluewatch, including two pump ladders, two pumps and an aerial platform, attended the incident.
The fireman added: "There were just some disgruntled people outside the hospital."
Firefighters had left the scene by 1pm.
A hospital spokesman said the emergency department was now open again and that it was the only department affected by the incident.
