No reopening date for children’s hospice building after fire

The electrical fire broke out at Helen and Douglas House on Magdalen Road on the morning of Friday, June 12.

In a post uploaded to the charity’s website, they stated: “The fire was quickly and safely extinguished, and no children, families or staff were injured.”

However, the incident left Helen House, the organisation’s main clinical building, without electrical power.

READ MORE: Bride and groom ‘hospitalised’ in Cotswolds pub’s Land Rover crash

Firefighters in Oxford (stock photo). (Image: Rewley Road Fire Station/Facebook)

What caused the fire is unknown at present, but a spokesperson for the charity said that “investigations are underway” to find out.

Damage was reportedly “localised” to “a small area of family accommodation”, but nonetheless caused a loss of power “throughout the building”, necessitating closure.

The charity provides one-to-one nursing care for terminally ill children up to the age of 18, as well as end-of-life support and post-death care.

“Thanks to the swift action of our staff and the emergency services, we were able to contain the fire quickly and evacuate the building safely.

READ MORE: Aaron Ramsey targets reunion with former Arsenal defender at Oxford United

The entrance to Douglas House in Magdalen Road, East Oxford.

“So it has been temporarily disruptive rather than devastating to the service,” added the spokesperson.

“We are doing all we can to re-open Helen House as soon as possible, but we cannot re-open until power has been restored and we don’t have a date for that as yet.”

In the meantime, the hospice is running “a temporary and slightly reduced” inpatient care service for its children.

There is space in Douglas House, its second building, being allocated to families “on a case-by-case basis”.

READ MORE: Man robbed of ability to walk after first symptom on Cotswolds honeymoon

Douglas House, though mainly used as an office, also has “unoccupied areas suitable for care on a temporary basis”, according to the spokesperson.

They claimed that families and children due to come in for inpatient care “have been informed”.

The charity’s other services, such as “Physiotherapy and Play”, continue to run on-site as normal, and the hospice encourages anyone seeking its care to call 01865 796771, with the number being staffed 24/7.

The spokesperson added: “We are working closely with local hospitals and other hospices to respond to as many care needs as possible.

READ MORE: Oxford United to play Leyton Orient in Carabao Cup first round

“Our care in the community and in hospital settings, including outreach and bereavement support, continues as normal.”

The update posted on the charity’s website stated: “Thank you for your patience, support and understanding.

“We are immensely grateful to the emergency services and our staff for their calm, swift response, and we look forward to reopening Helen House as soon as possible.”

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been approached for comment.