Families evacuated after fireplace breaks out at Bristol maternity hospital | EUROtoday

Families are stated to have been evacuated after plumes of black smoke had been seen billowing from a maternity hospital in Bristol.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service stated on Thursday afternoon it was responding to a fireplace on Southwell Street, Bristol, and warned individuals to keep away from the realm.

Videos shared by locals on social media confirmed smoke rising from St Michael’s Hospital as moms and infants had been reportedly led throughout the street to security by midwives.

Jess Hutchinson, 22, whose waters had damaged, advised the BBC it was “scary” listening to there was a fireplace on the roof.

Matt Burden, from Weston-super-Mare, advised the BBC that he was contained in the maternity unit together with his spouse when the fireplace broke out and that his spouse was in labour with their third child.

“I went out to get some food, came back and obviously the alarm went off,” he advised the broadcaster, including that his companion was protected inside.

“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.”

Green Party co-leader and MP for Bristol Central wrote on social media: “Scenes from the fire at St Michael’s Hospital look incredibly distressing – my thoughts are with all those who had to evacuate in such scary circumstances, and huge thanks to the emergency services for their bravery.

“I’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation as it develops.”

Smoke could possibly be seen throughout the town, together with from Bristol Temple Meads station, as movies confirmed plenty of firefighters battling the blaze.

Around an hour after the fireplace service confirmed the fireplace had been extinguished, it added: “We can confirm that the fire has safely been extinguished. The cause of the fire will be investigated.”

The hospital later reopened at 7pm, although residents have been advised to anticipate delays to journeys and use various routes, as close by St Michaels Hill is closed between its junctions with Hortfield Road and Tyndall Avenue.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police stated: “Police are supporting Avon Fire and Rescue colleagues at the scene of a fire at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol which was reported at about 4.30pm on Thursday May 22.

“St Michael’s Hill is closed to vehicles and pedestrians and people are urged to avoid the area if at all possible.”

Professor Stuart Walker, hospital managing director at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, stated: “Following a fire incident at St Michael’s Hospital this afternoon, we can confirm that the fire has safely been extinguished.

“Thank you to our wonderful workers who labored intently with the fireplace service to partially evacuate the hospital.

“The hospital, including the delivery suite, has now reopened to women who need to access our services and people with appointments tomorrow should attend as planned.”