Wexford General Hospital has said the process of transferring patients to alternative hospitals could take up to 24 hours.
The evacuation of 207 patients from the fire-stricken hospital began this evening and has been continuing throughout the night, with ambulances arriving to collect patients and leaving to bring them to other facilities.
Nursing Homes Ireland has offered accommodation at nursing homes in Wexford and Waterford, while some of the main hospitals that will be used for evacuated patients are expected to include St Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny, University Hospital Waterford and others further from the area including St Vincent's and the Mater Hospital in Dublin.
It is not yet clear how long the closure of the hospital will last, pending a full assessment of the damage in the coming hours and days, but the emergency department has been closed until further notice.
The hospital said all outpatient appointments have been cancelled for tomorrow and Friday.
Wexford Fire Service was notified of the fire shortly before 4pm and while the fire has now been brought under control, gardaí say extensive water damage has been done to the hospital.
Damage has been caused to parts of the roof and upper floors, as well as water and smoke damage to wards.
Ambulances have been arriving and leaving the hospital throughout the evening and Wexford Fire Service will have a presence at the hospital overnight.
A statement from the Ireland East Hospital Group said: "No injuries or accidents to patients or staff have been reported.
"The hospital is coordinating with the relevant authorities regarding finding the location, cause of the fire and assessing the full damage.
"We would ask the public not to come to the hospital and to stay away from the area.
"Anyone requiring emergency care in the Wexford region should attend their closest alternative accident and emergency service."
It is believed the fire broke out on the second floor of a building on the hospital campus.
Emergency services are at the scene of what is believed to be an extensive fire at Wexford General Hospital | Read more: https://t.co/lhwyM9pg94 pic.twitter.com/00y1BlQ9TD
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 1, 2023
Earlier, the intensive care unit was one of four wards to be evacuated, but because of the damage it was decided to evacuate the whole hospital.
Around 700 staff are employed at Wexford General.
At least eight units of the fire service in Wexford were at the scene, while gardaí, ambulances and civil defence were also on standby.
Another co-ordination meeting took place among hospital management and HSE officials to continue managing the process.
The Taoiseach has paid tribute to the emergency services who battled the blaze.
In a statement, Leo Varadkar said that the Government will do what "what is required" following the fire.
He sad: "Fire crews and other emergency personnel have been fighting this major emergency for many hours. We pay tribute to their dedication and heroism.
"Our thoughts are also with the hundreds of patients who have had to be evacuated from the hospital, as well as their families, and the staff and management dealing with this unprecedented situation."
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Wexford County Council had earlier asked that everyone avoid the area, adding that anyone living in close proximity should "close windows and doors and turn off all air ventilation".
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council George Lawlor described the fire as "substantial" and said substantial damage had been done to the roof of the building.
A spokesperson for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Association thanked fire personnel and said its thoughts are with patients and hospital staff.
"INMO officials are in contact with our members in Wexford and receiving hospitals to offer support to those who have and will be impacted by this extremely serious incident," the statement said.
Anyone with queries regarding a patient transfer can ring the following helpline: 053-9153012.
Additional reporting Éilís Sheehy, Samantha Libreri, Fergal Bowers
