One person was rescued by firefighters from Sandwell Hospital as smoke filled the corridors.

The accident and emergency department at the hospital was evacuated within minutes.

Emergency cases are now being seen at other hospitals in Birmingham.

Staff praised

More than 50 firefighters brought the fire under control.

Brian McCutcheon, of the West Midlands Fire Service, confirmed nobody was left in the affected area.

However, he said paramedics did have to take emergency cases to neighbouring hospitals as firefighters worked to prevent smoke damaging other parts of the building.

Two critically-ill patients were sent to Birmingham's City Hospital.

The fire service praised the speed with which hospital staff cleared the building.

An investigation is now under way to determine the cause of the fire, which is thought to have broken out in an x-ray room.