A £16MILLION animal hospital which was damaged after a huge fire ripped through a neighbouring building will remain closed for another two weeks.

Southfields Veterinary Specialists in Basildon was affected by a fire in the building next to its site on April 18.

The building was evacuated as all people and pets were led to safety, with patients transferred to other veterinary centres nearby.

While Linnaeus-owned Southfields did not catch fire, the hospital was damaged.

Several site assessments are under way to ensure the hospital is safe to enter, as bosses confirmed it will remain closed for a further two weeks while the building is reviewed.

Animals are being cared for at nearby veterinary practices amid the review, until it is deemed safe to return to the hospital.

Daniel Hogan, Southfields’ hospital director, said: “I am incredibly proud of the entire Southfields team for their quick and calm response to the fire, which led to a safe and successful evacuation for all our associates, patients, and visitors.

“It has been a distressing incident, so we are providing additional wellbeing support for the team.

“While the building is closed, some of our patients are being cared for by our colleagues. We are very grateful to everyone who has supported Southfields and our patients at this time.”

Colleagues from other Linnaeus sites including Cherrydown Vets in Essex, Davies Veterinary Specialists in Hertfordshire, and DWR Veterinary Specialists in Cambridgeshire, stepped in at short notice to help care for transferred patients during the incident.

Julia Hendrickson, president at Linnaeus, added: “The Southfields team have displayed tremendous professionalism and dedication while supporting their patients, clients, and each other. We are very proud of them, and so grateful that everyone stayed safe.

“I would also like to thank the emergency services for their hard work protecting our people and patients.

“Colleagues across Linnaeus have pulled together swiftly and effectively to support the team at Southfields. They have been fantastic and continue to help while we adjust to the hospital’s temporary closure.”

The cause of the fire was found to be non-suspicious.