Firefighters were called to a blaze at Royal Blackburn Hospital on Sunday, the trust in charge of the hospital has confirmed.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said the fire was contained in one of the changing rooms in the day surgery unit and nobody was injured.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Blackburn, Darwen, Bamber Bridge, and Hyndburn attended the scene at 4.35pm and were in attendance for around three hours.

A trust spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to a fire in one of the changing rooms of the day surgery unit at Blackburn Hospital at about 4.30pm on Sunday, April 7.

“Thankfully, the fire was contained and nobody was injured, but the incident is now being investigated by the police.

“We would like to say a big thank you to colleagues and to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service as their swift action helped minimise damage.

“As a result, all hospital activity is continuing as normal today, so patients with appointments should attend as planned.”

One visitor to the hospital at the time said: "We were inside one of the wards and the nurse came and told us that we could leave until the all clear had been given.

"We had to wait for an hour but then the nurse said she could escort anyone wanting to leave to an entrance. The nurses and staff were really good and helpful.

"At the entrance, as we were leaving, there was a crowd of people who had been let into the building and were being told to wait."

A fire service spokesperson said: “Four engines from Blackburn, Darwen, Bamber Bridge and Hyndburn attended a commercial building fire on Haslingden Road, Blackburn.

“Firefighters used two breathing apparatus and one hose reel to extinguish the fire. Crews were in attendance for three hours.”

Lancashire Police confirmed the incident was reported to them and is being investigated.