Hundreds of staff had to be evacuated from Crosshouse hospital this morning after a fire ripped through the building.

Firefighters were called to the hospital just after 7am after reports of a blaze in the hospital which is believed to have started in the kitchen.

Fire engines managed to tackle the blaze meaning wards did not have to be evacuated. 

Sources told the Times smoke could be seen from outside the hospital grounds. 

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We were alerted at 7.05am on Monday, August 12 to an automatic fire alarm signal at University Hospital Crosshouse.

“In total, Operations Control mobilised five fire appliances to the scene, where crews extinguished a small fire within the kitchen area.

“There were no reported casualties.

“Crews ventilated the building involved and left at 8.41am after ensuring the area was safe.”