Warrnambool CFA officer-in-charge Henry Barton said the CFA was called to the hospital at 2.30pm when two 10,000-litre tanks began to leak.

He said the water travelled down the service and lift shaft and there were concerns the water would come into contact with power points and electrical lines.

“The CFA worked with hospital management to ensure the safety of the patients,” Mr Barton said.

“It’s my understanding there was no impact on patients or services except isolating the lift.” Mr Barton said it took about two hours to clean up the wet areas, which were on each floor at the lift shaft.

“When we arrived there was about 50mm of water on the fourth floor at the elevator,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said the overflow of water from cold water tanks on the top floor of the central block, or old hospital building, caused the minor flooding.

“We’re very appreciative of the prompt assistance from the SES and the fire brigade to help our staff address it,” she said.

The clean-up was finished by about 4.30pm.