The blaze has now been extinguished
20:11, 22 May 2025Updated 20:11, 22 May 2025
A maternity hospital in Bristol has been swarmed with firefighters after a blaze appeared to break out on the building’s roof.
Emergency services were called to the scene at St Michael’s Hospital at about 4.30pm on Thursday (May 22, PA reported.
Dramatic footage captured from the roof of a nearby building showed huge plumes of black smoke and leaping flames on the hospital’s roof. Pregnant women were removed from the site, according to reports.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was extinguished in ‘less than an hour’ and the cause will be investigated, with the service urging people to avoid the area.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service posted on Facebook saying: “We’re currently responding to a fire on Southwell Street, Bristol.
“We encourage people to avoid the area while we deal with the incident. Further updates will be issued.”
The post was later updated saying: “We can confirm that the fire has safely been extinguished. The cause of the fire will be investigated.”
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “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.”
A University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “We’re responding to an incident at St Michael’s Hospital, we will provide a further update shortly.”
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