AN EMPTY chiller unit used to store bodies at the mortuary in Basingstoke hospital was destroyed by fire last night.

Nineteen firefighters took 30 minutes to put out the blaze, which started at 12.20pm.

Basingstoke fire station's special equipment unit and aerial ladder platform, along with three fire engines, attended the fire.

Watch manager John Amos said a faulty air-conditioning unit was at fault for the blaze.