HOSPITAL staff sprang into action when their bacon butties went up in smoke.

Prompt action by workers prevented a blaze in a staff kitchen from spreading to other areas of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary yesterday morning. And their actions have been praised by fire officers.

Fire crews from Huddersfield, Elland and Brighouse were mobilised following an emergency call at 10.15am, along with specialist officers and an aerial unit with a 100ft ladder.

Bacon cooking for staff sandwiches on an industrial grill burst into flames. Fat spread the fire to the equipment and filled the basement kitchen with smoke.

Hospital alarms sounded and a partial evacuation took place. But it was the action of quick-thinking staff that saved the day. They doused the fire using fire blankets and a chemical extinguisher.

Watch Commander Andy Blackburn, of Huddersfield Fire Station, said: “Hospital staff did everything correctly.

“They got a fire blanket and chemical extinguisher and tackled the fire. They isolated the gas and a there was a part evacuation.

“We didn’t have to do any firefighting, as they had already put it out. Their training worked like clockwork, preventing a much more serious fire from occurring.

“I praised the staff for their actions before we left.”