FIRE broke out at a psychiatric hospital after a patient allegedly set light to a pile of clothes.

The blaze started at the historic Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, yesterday evening.

No-one was injured and the fire did not spread, but caused extensive smoke damage.

Firefighters tackled the flames on an adult ward of the hospital, in Monks Orchard Way, at about 11pm.

The fire is under police investigation.