A fire that caused the evacuation of pregnant women and babies from a maternity hospital in Bristol was traced back to solar panels on the roof, according to firefighters. The incident occurred at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol, with emergency services arriving just before 16:30 BST on Thursday. The blaze resulted in flames and thick plumes of smoke that could be seen from various parts of the city. Despite the intense nature of the fire, no injuries were reported, and the hospital was able to resume operations by 19:00.
Although most services at St Michael’s were functioning the day after the fire, some appointments needed to be rescheduled, as confirmed by hospital officials. An investigation into the cause of the fire was launched immediately after the incident. Avon Fire and Rescue Service disclosed on Friday that the fire was accidental, caused by a fault in the solar panels. The spokesperson for the service reassured that the fire was confined to the roof and did not spread to other parts of the hospital.
Following the fire, a few planned appointments were rescheduled, as stated by Prof Stuart Walker, the hospital’s managing director. He emphasized that those affected were contacted directly and advised to attend appointments unless informed otherwise. Prof Walker also expressed gratitude to the hospital staff, emergency services, and local partners for their exceptional efforts in ensuring the safety of patients and loved ones during the crisis. In the midst of the chaos, midwives were witnessed aiding expectant mothers and infants, offering support by providing necessities like milk and fruit. Some patients were temporarily relocated to the Bristol University Life Sciences building before returning to the hospital premises. Prof Jeremy Tavaré, the vice-chancellor for the University of Bristol’s faculty of health and life sciences, commended the staff response, highlighting their quick and compassionate actions in assisting patients and hospital personnel during the emergency
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