Four injured after fire at Wakari Hospital in Dunedin

Fire appliances at Wakari Hospital. Photo / Craig Baxter, Otago Daily Times

A fire at a Dunedin hospital which led to four people being taken to another hospital is being treated as suspicious, Fire and Emergency New Zealand says.

The fire was lit within a secure ward at Wakari Hospital about 10am this morning, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesman said.

Appliances from Willowbank, Roslyn and St Kilda attended the blaze.

Seven people were assessed for smoke inhalation with four taken by St John to Dunedin Hospital's emergency department, the Fenz spokesman said

"The fire is suspicious and police are at the scene doing an investigation."

St John said they were told by FENZ that a couch at the facility was set on fire.

A Fenz spokesman said he knew the cause of the blaze and what was set alight, but could not comment.

A fire investigator was not required.

The St John spokesman said one person suffering moderate injuries and three with minor injuries were taken to Dunedin Hospital.

At least one St John Ambulance and multiple fire appliances were at the scene.

A police spokeswoman confirmed the fire was within one of the hospital's wards.

"The officers are still at the scene," she said.

"Inquiries are ongoing to determine how it began."

When asked if the fire was suspicious, she said police "can't confirm that at this stage".

A Southern District Health Board spokeswoman said staff contained and extinguished a small fire in a room at ward 9A at Wakari Hospital about 10am.

The staff taken to Dunedin Hospital ED as a precaution were checked for smoke inhalation.

No patients required treatment and damage was being assessed but was thought to be minimal, she said.

The cause of the fire was being investigated.