Two fires broke out at Bristol Royal Infirmary when a critical incident was reported at the hospital

Yesterday, two fires broke out at a major hospital in Bristol, prompting a major emergency response as several patients had to be moved to avoid treatment in the dark. Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) declared a critical incident and warned patients not to attend the hospital and to seek care elsewhere until the problem was resolved.

Several fire engines were spotted outside the town centre hospital shortly after 2pm yesterday (Friday 3 May). Up to seven vehicles were reportedly deployed to tackle the blaze, which was reported to Avon Fire Service at 1.43pm.

A statement from Avon Fire and Rescue confirmed that firefighters discovered a fire on the second floor of the hospital and said a second fire was discovered after crews entered the building.

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Patients and staff were evacuated from the emergency departments. Patients sat outside the building wrapped in blankets. An eyewitness told BristolLive that the power suddenly went out before the first alarm was heard. He said: “The power went out for a couple of minutes and then we heard the alarm.”

At around 3.30pm, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS reported an internal critical incident. It said: “We have reported an internal critical incident as a power outage has occurred in several of our hospitals in Bristol city centre.

“We ask the public not to attend our hospitals until the incident is resolved. Please use alternative services in the area.”

Mounted police were also on the scene to assist Avon and the fire service. At least six roads were closed as officers warned motorists to avoid the area.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “Officers arrived on the scene within 10 minutes and are assisting the fire service with the road closure. Our response forces include the mounted unit and drone units.”

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At 3:40 p.m., Rebecca Maxwell, acting chief medical officer at UHBW, said: “We have declared a critical incident due to a power outage. We want to fully resolve this as quickly 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 to use alternative services in the area.”

At around 5:30 p.m., an emergency generator was brought to the hospital accompanied by police. A team of technicians worked to lay the cables to connect the new generator. In the meantime, a tanker truck arrived to refill the hospital’s emergency generator.

At 7.15pm, Dr Maxwell said: “Some of our hospitals in Bristol continue to be affected by a power outage. All patients and colleagues remain safe.”

“Our adult emergency department is currently closed to new patients. Our pediatric emergency department remains open and we will evaluate children and refer them to other centers if necessary.”

According to reports, 13 patients had to be moved from one hospital area to another because of the power outages. All other hospital patients were not moved and were treated in the areas they were already in.

Shortly after 9 p.m., the adult emergency department opened to patients who came urgently without an appointment. The pediatric emergency department remained open to ambulances and patients without an appointment throughout the incident.

Eight hours after the first emergency call, the fire department and police confirmed that the emergency operation had ended. The fire department and police left the scene at around 10 p.m.

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental ignition due to an electrical defect.

A statement from Avon Fire and Rescue said: “Emergency crews responded to reports of a burning smell at 1:43 p.m. Upon arrival, crews located a fire on the second floor of the building and a secondary fire was discovered.

“The firefighters were able to extinguish the fire using fire extinguishers and two hose reels. Four firefighters wore breathing apparatus for safety.

“After a coordinated response by the hospital and our colleagues from the emergency services, the major operation has now been brought to an end. All roads have now been reopened.

“The cause of the incident was accidental ignition, presumably due to an electrical fault.”