Cambridge hospital car park reopens after fire
People have been contacted when they can collect their cars
Drivers can now pick up their cars after a fire swept through a car park at a Cambridgeshire hospital.
Several vehicles were left stranded as the blaze swept through the second floor of car park one at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge last Saturday afternoon.
Claire Springett was visiting her mum that day before being told that she wasn't able to return to her car.
"The security guard stopped me and I then could hear all the alarms going off, it was getting dusk but I could just make out the smoke coming out the side of the car park, then lots of blue lights and sirens," Claire recalled.
"I think I got there (to the car park) about 4.20pm; they already closed the car park at that point, but as I was standing there, I could hear tyres exploding on the cars."
This week, Claire's been able to collect her vehicle, which was not affected by the fire.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service ruled that the fire was accidental and caused by a mechanical fault with a diesel vehicle.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) said around 1,000 spaces were lost as a result.
The fire has made Claire think twice about where best to park in future.
"It's something I've never really thought about as it's never happened to me up until this point," she said.
"You never park your car thinking it's going to be involved in a fire; it makes me feel wary."
CUH said National Car Parks (NCP) - which runs car park one - has been contacting people on when they can collect their vehicles.
"NCP and the Trust worked hard to achieve this as quickly as possible, with the help of surveys from structural engineers," a CUH spokesperson said.
"Our sincere apologies to patients, staff and visitors affected; we appreciate your support and understanding."