Newborns and parents evacuated during fire at Perth maternity hospital

A fire forced the evacuation of patients from the St John of God Hospital in Mount Lawley, in northern Perth, this afternoon.

Fire crews were called to the hospital on the corner of Ellesmere and Thirlmere road about 12.30pm.

Heavy smoke from the fire triggered the evacuation of some patients, including newborns and parents, from the building.

Firefighters quickly controlled the blaze, Perth Now reported.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.