A HEALTH chief has assured patients that a clinic is up and running after a blaze.

The incident happened on Monday about 4.30pm and was caused by an electrical fault.

It took firefighters from both from east and west Carlisle fire stations to battle the flames and it was only quick thinking staff that confined the fire to one office.

David Muir, group nurse director for North Cumbria Locality at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On Monday afternoon the fire service were called to one of our buildings at the Carleton Clinic in response to a small electrical fire in a non-patient area.

"A small number of staff were safely evacuated in line with our safety procedures.

"We would like to reassure everyone that this caused no disruption to patients or to the delivery of our services.”

A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue said: "On arrival the staff had evacuated the building and closed the door on the fire.

"The room was filled with smoke and flames were coming from what appeared to be strip lighting.

"We used two breathing apparatus and CO2 to extinguish the flames."

Firefighters thanked staff for their quick thinking.

No one was injured during the incident.