TWENTY-FOUR people were treated by paramedics following a fire at Alpha Hospital.
Fifty firefighters from across Greater Manchester tackled the blaze, off Buller Street, Elton after it is thought a patient caused the fire on the roof of the building at around 4.30pm today, Thursday.
Nobody was taken to hospital but triage staff treated 24 of the 50 residents at the scene.
The fire damage was caused to around 100 square metres of the roof in the Forest Wood building.
Police, the fire service and the North West Ambulance Service are still at the scene.
The hospital, which cares for patients with mental health need, remains cordoned off with access only being given to emergency services and staff.
Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene throughout the night.
A fire service spokesman said the cause is still under investigation.
Police are investigating.