A fire broke out at a maternity hospital in Bristol on Thursday evening, forcing pregnant women to evacuate.
Footage posted on social media showed flames licking the roof of St Michael’s Hospital on Southwell Street.
Large plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky as firefighters fought to extinguish the blaze.
Pregnant women were moved out of the building for their own safety, assisted by the hospital’s midwives.
Jess Hutchinson, 22, whose waters have broken, told the BBC that it was ‘scary’ listening to the fire break out on the roof.
There is currently no report of casualties and Avon Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that the fire is now out, but the public are being told to avoid the area.
A spokesperson for Avon Fire & Rescue Service said: ‘We’re currently responding to a fire on Southwell Street, Bristol. We encourage people to avoid the area while we deal with the incident.
‘We can confirm that the fire has safely been extinguished. The cause of the fire will be investigated.’
Flames could been seen billowing from the roof of St Michael’s Hospital on Southwell Street in Bristol
There is currently no report of casualties and Avon Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that the fire is now out
However the police and fire service have told the public to avoid the area
Vast plumes of smoke emerged from the roof of the hospital as firefighters (seen bottom left) attempted to put out the blaze
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘Police are supporting Avon Fire & Rescue colleagues at the scene of a fire at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol which was reported at about 4.30pm on Thursday 22 May.
‘St Michael’s Hill is closed to vehicles and pedestrians and people are urged to avoid the area if at all possible.’
St Michael’s Hospital is a teaching hospital and the area’s main maternity hospital, and also includes a child’s audiology unit.
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