East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) mobilised multiple appliances on Friday afternoon following reports of smoke seen rising from the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) on Eastern Road, Brighton.
Emergency services were alerted at 1:35 PM, prompting a response from fire crews. Concerned members of the public reported visible smoke, raising fears of a possible fire at the hospital.
However, after a thorough investigation, it was determined that the smoke was emanating from a chimney, and there was no fire at the premises.
A spokesperson for ESFRS provided reassurance, stating, “East Sussex Fire and Rescue were called at 1:35 PM today, 7 February 2025, to reports of smoke above Royal Sussex County Hospital. We attended Eastern Road. It was found to be a false alarm with smoke coming from a chimney. Smoke may continue to be seen at the building.”
Despite the false alarm, ESFRS commended the vigilance of those who reported the incident and reminded the public to always err on the side of caution when noticing signs of potential fire hazards.
The incident caused minimal disruption, and hospital operations continued as normal. Authorities have advised that further smoke may still be visible from the chimney, but there is no cause for concern.
