BRAVE hospital staff have scooped a clutch of national awards for their heroism during a fire rescue.

Six members of staff from York Hospital have each won awards from the Royal Humane Society recognising their exceptional bravery and courage.

Healthcare assistant Gemma Gurden, staff nurses Elle Barley, Andrea Shirt and Nichola Burdett, along with Dr Matthew Callister and security officer David Henderson, have been nominated for the award.

On the night of September 16 last year they evacuated 86 patients following a fire in the medical admissions unit.

They also restrained the arsonist, who threatened staff with a knife.

York Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Jim Easton will present the awards at a special ceremony at the hospital on Wednesday.

Fire chiefs said at the time a male patient used a cigarette lighter to ignite cardboard bed pans and other medical supplies on two trolleys situated on a third-floor ward room.

Quick-thinking nursing staff immediately evacuated four adult patients and a three-month-old baby from the blazing room and a further 14 patients from other rooms within the unit.

The man was restrained by hospital security staff and later arrested by police officers in connection with the incident. Two hospital staff suffered slight injuries from the fire, including smoke inhalation.

Mr Easton said: "The action of staff was exemplary. Their quick thinking, courage and utter professionalism was fantastic. What they did was above and beyond the call of duty and I am proud to have staff of this calibre working within the trust.

"The ceremony also allows us to honour the many other staff who played such an important role in the hospital that night, moving and caring for patients and creating a whole new ward to replace the damaged area within 24 hours. It was a remarkable achievement."

The hospital will also pay tribute to people working in the fire and police who also had a huge part to play in the night's events.

David Pennefather, the secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "The staff acted bravely and with great presence of mind to ensure the safety of 86 people during last September's fire.

"They all richly deserve their award of a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on parchment."

Stefan Robert Yeoman, 57, of Bramham Road, in Chapelfields has pleaded guilty to four allegations of arson with intent to endanger life and one of causing actual bodily harm.

On March 7, York Crown Court, sitting in Leeds, heard that Yeomans' action was reckless as to whether the lives of Reina Louis Woodhead, Patricia Kelly, Yvonne Heys, Tracy Godsell and Zebedee Heys were endangered.

His case was adjourned for psychiatric, medical and probation reports and he is expected to return to court on May 13.

He was remanded in custody.

Updated: 09:21 Monday, March 28, 2005