People have been evacuated from Bristol's main hospital after a "critical incident" with fire fighters at the scene.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there are currently 10 appliances in attendance outside the Bristol Royal Infirmary on Upper Maudlin Street and police can be seen on horse back clearing people from the scene.
Images show people who appear to be from the hospital being held back behind a cordon and patients with blankets waiting outside the building. A generator has now been brought to the hospital due to "critical incident" caused by a power outage.
It is understood that there have been several roads closed including the street outside the hospital with people receiving day care at the hospital having been evacuated out of the building. An eyewitness said: "BRI has been evacuated (...) fire engines on scene."
Another person said: "The place was evacuated, with fire alarms sounding and [we're] all outside in the fire evacuation area." They added: "The power shutdown for a few minutes and after we heard alarm."
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People pictured outside the hospital"We were called at around 2.30pm today (Wednesday 3 May) to support Avon Fire and Rescue Service in responding to a suspected electrical fault at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, on Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol," stated Avon and Somerset Police.
"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. The only road closed is Upper Maudlin Street inbound (for motorists travelling towards The Bear Pit Roundabout). Motorists will be unable to join Upper Maudlin Street inbound from the adjoining roads. We are asking that members of the public and motorists avoid the area for the time being."
The people who have been evacuated are only patients from SDEC (same day emergency care) emergency area, fast flow, it is reported. University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS FT wrote on X that it was an "internal critical incident" that had been caused by a power outage which is affecting "a number of our hospitals in Bristol city centre".
It stated: "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."
The scene at Bristol Royal Infirmary hospitalPeople are being urged to contact NHS 111 for medical help. The message on social media continued: "Anyone needing urgent medical help should contact NHS 111. Keep an eye on our social media channels for further updates."
Dr Rebecca Maxwell, Interim Chief Medical Officer at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (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."
Traffic monitor Inrix reports: "Upper Maudlin Street Eastbound closed, heavy traffic due to police incident from The Hospital to St James Barton Roundabout." Meanwhile, Bristol University, which is close to the BRI, has reported it is also suffering a power outage, currently causing IT problems across multiple locations on their campus.
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