No Injuries as Fire Erupts at Bristol's St Michael's Hospital, Prompting Swift Evacuation

May 22, 2025
No Injuries as Fire Erupts at Bristol's St Michael's Hospital, Prompting Swift Evacuation
  • A fire broke out at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol, prompting a swift response from emergency services, which included crews dispatched at 4:23 PM.

  • Witnesses reported hearing the fire erupt on the roof, where solar panels were destroyed, creating a chaotic scene.

  • Matthew Burden, whose wife was in labor, described returning to the maternity unit to find alarms and black smoke, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

  • Midwives played a crucial role in evacuating pregnant women, including 22-year-old Jess Hutchinson, who expressed fear as her water broke just before the fire started.

  • Fortunately, all pregnant women and babies were safely evacuated, and reports confirmed that no injuries occurred as a result of the fire.

  • Evacuated patients were relocated to a nearby Bristol University building for safety while emergency services managed the situation.

  • The blaze was extinguished within an hour, and by 7 PM, St Michael's Hospital had reopened to patients, although nearby roads remained closed.

  • Professor Stuart Walker, managing director at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, praised the staff for their quick response and coordination with fire services during the evacuation.

  • The Green Party co-leader and Bristol Central MP expressed concern for those affected by the incident and thanked the emergency services for their efforts.

  • Firefighters were seen battling the flames on the roof of the hospital, with smoke visible across the city, including from Bristol Temple Meads station.

  • The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with Avon and Somerset Police assisting the fire service at the scene.

  • This incident follows a separate fire at a block of flats in Walthamstow, London, where a significant firefighting effort was required.

Summary based on 15 sources


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