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Mothers and newborn babies evacuated following fire at maternity hospital
Mothers and babies were evacuated from the maternity ward at St Michael’s Hospital after a fire broke out on its roof at around 4.45pm.
Around 70 mothers with babes in arms and many pregnant women were rushed to the University of Bristol’s Life Sciences Building on nearby Tyndall Avenue that was used as a temporary refuge.
Women going into labour were helped into ambulances for some privacy and care as hospital staff ran up and down St Michael’s Hill with blankets, airway and breathing equipment, drugs, and fluids.
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Hospital staff showed heroic professionalism to get women and babies safely out of St Michael’s Hospital – photo: Hannah Massoudi
It was a heroic display of unity as multiple staff got the women safely out of the hospital.
Smoke from the fire on the roof of the hospital could be seen from across Bristol, with the fire service saying that the fire was safely extinguished by 5.25pm.
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Despite the intense and disorientating event, all members of staff jumped into action, with patients being moved efficiently into neighbouring buildings to be cared for.
After the fire had been extinguished, dozens of members of staff from the hospital remained on the scene to ensure the health and wellbeing of the parents and babies.
Professor Stuart Walker, the hospital’s managing director, gave his thanks to all those that supported the evacuation.
He added that the hospital remains open to those who need it, with a small number of planned appointments being rescheduled.
Many of the staff from the nearby Children’s Hospital were able to lend support – photo: Hannah Massoudi
Main photo: Rob Browne
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