BRISTOL HOSPITALS DECLARE 'INTERNAL CRITICAL INCIDENT' - AND TELL PUBLIC 'NOT TO ATTEND'
A critical incident has been declared at hospitals in the centre of Bristol, with the public told to stay away and two fires found in one of the buildings.
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) says all patients are safe.
Avon and Somerset Police say officers supported fire and rescue crews with the incident, which the force says was "believed to be caused by an electrical fault" at Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI).
Avon Fire & Rescue said they responded to reports of a burning smell at BRI at 1.43pm and found a fire on the second floor.
Another fire was thought to be caused by an electrical fault - both of which were extinguished using two hose reel jets.
The Bristol Post reports a back-up generator has been delivered to BRI.
Dr Rebecca Maxwell, interim chief medical officer at 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.
"We ask the public not to attend our Bristol city centre hospitals until the incident is resolved and use alternative services in the area."
The trust says a number of hospitals continue to be affected, with the adult emergency department closed to new patients but the children's emergency department still open.
Firefighters say the "major incident" has been stood down.
Pictures on social media suggested a large emergency services presence was in the area, while others claim there have been evacuations, though this has not been confirmed.
Officers were on the scene within 10 minutes of receiving a call at around 2.30pm, police said, with drone units also in attendance.
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Police say they had closed Upper Maudlin Street, which is where BRI, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the trust's headquarters are all located.
The trust runs a number of hospitals, including the eye hospital, the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) - though it isn't clear how many of their facilities have been affected.
2024-05-03T15:11:13Z dg43tfdfdgfd
