Bristol hospital evacuated following 'critical incident'

Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) on Upper Maudlin Street has been evacuated following a critical power outage.

Emergency services have been called and there are currently ten fire engines on site.

BristolWorld spoke to one hospital visitor who said he was visiting his mother when all visitors were told to leave. He said: “Apparently there was a large bang and people are saying a power cable had been cut during building work on another floor. We were all in the dark and had to leave.”

A member of staff we spoke to said they “could smell a gas leak as they evacuated the building” but that hasn’t been confirmed by the hospital or emergency services.

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 power outage. We aim to have this resolved as soon as possible.

“All patients, visitors and colleagues are safe.”

On their Twitter page, the UHBW asks “the public not to attend our hospitals until the incident is resolved. Please use alternative services in the area. Anyone needing urgent medical help should contact NHS 111.”

There is traffic chaos in the area as the following roads have been closed due to the incident:

- Lower Maudlin Street

- Upper Maudlin Street

- Malborough Street

-Jamaica Street

- St Michael’s Hill

- Colston Street