Latest news with #MattBurden
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Faulty solar panel blamed for maternity hospital fire
The fire service has blamed faulty solar panels for a blaze at a maternity hospital in Bristol. Pregnant women and babies were evacuated from St Michael's Hospital on Southwell Street in the city centre on Thursday afternoon. Footage shared on social media showed women cradling babies being escorted past fire engines and under police tape to buildings opposite as smoke billowed above the city. Avon Fire & Rescue Services' fire investigation team said the cause of the fire, which has now been extinguished, had been faulty solar panels. The roof of the hospital has one of Bristol city centre's largest solar panel installations, unveiled in 2014 and delivered in partnership with the council. Ian Fergusson , a BBC forecaster, shared a still image yesterday from a skycam showing the scorched remains of the hospital's rooftop solar panels. He said there was 'virtually nothing left of the rooftop solar panel array after this fire', adding: 'A very worrying and scary event for folks at the maternity hospital.' Matt Burden, from Weston-super-Mare, was inside the maternity unit when the fire started. He told the BBC that his wife was in labour with their third baby and he was 'really eager to get back' to her. He said: 'I went out to get some food, came back and obviously the alarm went off. They said all partners had to leave. Everyone was going down the fire exit quite fast.' A spokesman for Avon Fire & Rescue Services said on Friday: 'Following a fire in a hospital on Southwell Street, Bristol, yesterday evening (22 May 2025), Avon Fire & Rescue Services' Fire Investigation Team have established the cause of the fire to be accidental due to a fault in the solar panels, on the roof of the building. 'Firefighters safely extinguished the fire on the roof and no other part of the hospital was affected by the fire.' Prof Stuart Walker, the hospital managing director at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Following a fire on the roof of St Michael's Hospital yesterday afternoon, we can confirm the hospital is open and services are running. 'A very small number of planned appointments have been rescheduled. Those affected by this have been contacted directly. If you have an appointment, please attend it unless you hear from us. The hospital remains open to those who need access to our services, including the delivery suite. 'Thank you to our amazing colleagues, emergency services and local partners for their efforts yesterday to help keep our patients and their loved ones safe.'
Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Times
Bristol fire: Mothers and newborns evacuated from hospital
Mothers at a maternity hospital in Bristol had to evacuate the building carrying their babies after a large fire broke out on the roof. Black smoke was seen rising over St Michael's Hospital in the city centre shortly before 4.30pm on Thursday. Firefighters from Avon Fire and Rescue Service quickly extinguished the blaze. Mothers and their babies were taken to a nearby University of Bristol building. Outside, Matt Burden, from Weston-super-Mare, told BBC News that he was in the maternity unit with his wife when the fire broke out. She was in labour with their third baby and he was 'really eager to get back' to her, he said. 'I went out to get some food, came back and the alarm went off,' he said.
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Maternity hospital evacuated after solar panel fire
Pregnant women were evacuated from a hospital in Bristol after a solar panel fire broke out. Large plumes of black smoke were seen emerging from St Michael's Hospital, near the city centre. The maternity ward at the hospital has reportedly been evacuated, with pregnant mothers and babies being led across the road to another building. The cause of the fire, which has now been extinguished, is currently unknown. Footage shared on social media showed women cradling babies being escorted past fire engines and under police tape to safety. Jess Hutchinson, 22, whose waters have broken, told the BBC it was 'scary' hearing the fire start on the roof. Matt Burden, from Weston-super-Mare, was inside the maternity unit when the fire started. He told the BBC that his wife was in labour with their third baby and he was 'really eager to get back' to her. He said: 'I went out to get some food, came back and obviously the alarm went off. They said all partners had to leave. Everyone was going down the fire exit quite fast. A BBC forecaster shared a still image from a skycam located a short distance away, which showed the scorched remains of the hospital's rooftop solar panels. Ian Fergusson said there was 'virtually nothing left of the rooftop solar panel array after this fire'. He added: 'A very worrying and scary event for folks at the maternity hospital.' Some patients have reportedly been taken to the Bristol University Life Sciences building. In a statement, a spokesman for Avon Fire and 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.' Avon and Somerset Police said the fire had been reported at around 4.30pm. A spokesman said: 'St Michael's Hill is closed to vehicles and pedestrians and people are urged to avoid the area if at all possible.' A University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: 'We're responding to an incident at St Michael's Hospital, we will provide a further update shortly.'
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Families evacuated after fire breaks out at Bristol maternity hospital
Families are said to have been evacuated after plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from a maternity hospital in Bristol. Avon Fire and Rescue Service said on Thursday afternoon it was responding to a fire on Southwell Street, Bristol, and warned people to avoid the area. Videos shared by locals on social media showed smoke rising from St Michael's Hospital as mothers and babies were reportedly led across the road to safety by midwives. Jess Hutchinson, 22, whose waters had broken, told the BBC it was 'scary' hearing there was a fire on the roof. Matt Burden, from Weston-super-Mare, told the BBC that he was inside the maternity unit with his wife when the fire broke out and that his wife was in labour with their third baby. "I went out to get some food, came back and obviously the alarm went off," he told the broadcaster, adding that his partner was safe inside. "They said all partners had to leave. Everyone was going down the fire exit quite fast. When we came out I saw black smoke, all up in flames." Green Party co-leader and MP for Bristol Central wrote on social media: 'Scenes from the fire at St Michael's Hospital look incredibly distressing - my thoughts are with all those who had to evacuate in such scary circumstances, and huge thanks to the emergency services for their bravery. 'I'll be keeping a close eye on the situation as it develops.' Smoke could be seen across the city, including from Bristol Temple Meads station, as videos showed a number of firefighters battling the blaze. Around an hour after the fire service confirmed the fire, it added: 'We can confirm that the fire has safely been extinguished. The cause of the fire will be investigated.' Residents have been told to expect delays and use alternative routes, as nearby St Michaels Hill is closed between its junctions with Hortfield Road and Tyndall Avenue.
