There was an extra emergency at the Mount Gambier Hospital on Sunday, prompting part of the facility to be evacuated.

The hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department was evacuated after staff smelled smoke and the fire alarm was triggered.

MFS and CFS crews were called to the Wehl Street North premises just after noon, with staff and patients evacuated from the department.

Firefighters accessed the roof and used thermal imaging equipment to determine the cause of the fire.

After more than an hour it was discovered it was a minor electrical fault and the scene was cleared.