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Two fires broke out in a major hospital in Bristol yesterday, sparking a major emergency service response, as a number of patients were moved to avoid being treated in the dark. Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) issued a critical incident, warning patients to not visit the hospital but instead seek help elsewhere until the issue had been resolved.
Multiple fire engines were spotted outside of the hospital in the city centre just after 2pm yesterday (Friday, May 3). It was reported that up to seven engines attended the fire, which was initially reported to Avon Fire Rescue at 1.43pm.
A statement from Avon Fire and Rescue confirmed firefighters found a fire on the second floor of the hospital. It also added that a second fire was located after crews entered the building.
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Patients and staff were evacuated from emergency departments, with patients wrapped in blankets sitting outside of the building. An eyewitness told BristolLive the power suddenly shut down before the first alarm was heard. They said: “The power shut down for a few minutes and after we heard alarm.”
Around 3.30pm University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS issued an internal critical incident. It said: “We have declared an internal critical incident due to a power outage affecting a number of our hospitals in Bristol city centre.
“We are asking the public not to attend our hospitals until the incident is resolved. Please use alternative services in the area.”
Police on horseback were also in attendance to assist Avon and Fire Rescue. At least six roads were closed as officers warned motorists to avoid the area.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “Officers arrived on scene within 10 minutes and are supporting the fire service with road closures. The mounted section and drone units are among our resources in attendance.”
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At 3.40pm, Rebecca Maxwell, interim chief medical officer at UHBW, said: “We have declared a critical incident due to a power outage. We aim to have this fully resolved as soon as possible.
“All patients, visitors and colleagues are safe. We ask the public not to attend our Bristol city centre hospitals until the incident is resolved and use alternative services in the area.”
An emergency generator was brought into the hospital, escorted by police around 5.30pm. A team of technicians worked to install cabling to connect the new generator. Meanwhile, a fuel truck arrived to fill the hospital’s backup generator.
At 7.15pm, Dr Maxwell said: “A number of our Bristol hospitals continue to be impacted by a power outage. All patients and colleagues remain safe.
“Our adult emergency department is currently closed to new patients. Our children’s emergency department is still open and we will assess and transfer children to other centres if necessary.”
It was reported that 13 patients were moved from one area of the hospital to another because of the power outages. All other hospital patients were not moved and were being treated in the areas they were already in.
Just after 9pm the adult emergency department was opened to ‘urgent walk-in’ patients. Throughout the incident, the children’s emergency department remained open to both ambulances and walk-in patients.
Eight hours after the initial call to emergency services, both fire and police confirmed the emergency incident was stood down. Fire crews and police officers left the scene around 10pm.
It is believed that the cause of the fire was accidental ignition due to an electrical fault.
A statement from Avon Fire and Rescue said: “Crews responded to reports of a smell of burning at 13:43. On arrival, crews found a fire on the second floor of the building, with a secondary fire also discovered.
“Using fire extinguishers and two hose reel jets, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire. Four firefighters wore breathing apparatus for safety.
“Following a co-ordinated response from the hospital and emergency services colleagues, the major incident has now been stood down. All roads have now been reopened.
“The cause of the incident was accidental ignition, thought to be to due to an electrical fault.”
