Pregnant women had to be evacuated from a maternity hospital this evening after a huge fire broke out – forcing staff to relocate babies to the local university’s library.
Footage posted on social media showed giant flames licking the roof of St Michael’s Hospital on Southwell Street in Bristol on Thursday eve.
Large plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky as firefighters fought to extinguish the blaze, which reportedly destroyed a number of solar panels on the roof.
Pregnant women were moved out of the building for their own safety, assisted by the hospital’s midwives who provided milk and fruit for the women.
Jess Hutchinson, 22, whose waters have broken, told the BBC that it was ‘scary’ listening to the fire break out on the roof.
Matthew Burden, from Weston-super-Mare, told the BBC that he was was inside the hospital’s maternity unit with his pregnant wife, who was in labour with their third child, when the fire began.
‘I went out to get some food, came back and obviously the alarm went off,’ he said.
‘They said all partners had to leave. Everyone was going down the fire exit quite fast. When we came out I saw black smoke, all up in flames.’
Flames could been seen billowing from the roof of St Michael’s Hospital on Southwell Street in Bristol
There is currently no report of casualties and Avon Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that the fire is now out
However the police and fire service have told the public to avoid the area
He said he has spoken to his partner on the phone and said she is safe inside.
Georgina Hackett, 22, a physiologist at the children’s hospital said: ‘I left work at 4:30pm and went to the outside of the heart institute and saw a big cloud of smoke looking up.
‘I spoke to people outside and they said that St Michael’s was on fire. The police said they needed some blankets for the babies.
‘I grabbed some blankets and took them up the hill and have given them to the babies. The babies were evacuated from the maternity to University of Bristol library.
‘It’s scary seeing that. Your natural instinct for what can I do to help comes in immediately.’
One doctor who works with the babies said: ‘We had to move them. Fire was on the roof. We had to move the babies and mums downstairs. Babies were fine.’
One passerby said that he was told the fire was caused by a solar panel, although this has not been confirmed.
The fire is believed to have broken out shortly after 4.30pm
Vast plumes of smoke emerged from the roof of the hospital as firefighters (seen bottom left) attempted to put out the blaze
An alternative view shows the extent of the fire, with dark black smoke spiraling high into the evening air
Smoke rises from the roof of St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol
St Michael’s Hospital (pictured) is a teaching hospital and the area’s main maternity hospital
Inside the midwife-led birthing unit at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol
Fire engined blocked the road into the hospital as police warned members of the public to stay away from the scene
The fire is reported to have broken out at approximately 4.30pm on Thursday evening
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire – although the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be determined
There is currently no report of casualties and Avon Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that the fire is now out, but the public are being told to avoid the area.
A spokesperson for Avon Fire & Rescue Service said: ‘We’re currently responding to a fire on Southwell Street, Bristol. We encourage people to avoid the area while we deal with the incident.
‘We can confirm that the fire has safely been extinguished. The cause of the fire will be investigated.’
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘Police are supporting Avon Fire & Rescue colleagues at the scene of a fire at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol which was reported at about 4.30pm on Thursday 22 May.
‘St Michael’s Hill is closed to vehicles and pedestrians and people are urged to avoid the area if at all possible.’
St Michael’s Hospital is a teaching hospital and the area’s main maternity hospital, and also includes a child’s audiology unit.
This is a breaking story, more to follow…
