A MAN was arrested for starting a fire in the A&E department at Leeds General Infirmary yesterday.

Police were called to the Leeds General Infirmary at about 5.54pm to a report of a man in possession of a screwdriver who was causing damage in a unit, making threats and attempting to start a fire.

Part of the hospital had to be evacuated with patients and staff taken to safety as police hunted for the armed man.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service quickly extinguished the fire inside the affected area, which was unoccupied at the time.

No-one is believed to have been injured in the incident.

The suspect remains in custody as police enquiries investigate the incident and the cause of the fire.