Huge fire forces evacuation of pregnant women and newborns from Bristol Maternity Hospital roof blaze

A large fire broke out on the roof of St Michael’s Hospital maternity unit in Bristol yesterday, forcing the urgent evacuation of pregnant women and newborn babies. The blaze, which began shortly before 16:30 BST, involved solar panels installed on the hospital roof and sent thick black smoke billowing across the city centre.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, with crews from 10 fire stations tackling the flames. Midwives and hospital staff quickly moved mothers-to-be and their babies outside to safety, providing comfort with milk and fruit as the fire was brought under control within the hour. By 19:00, the hospital had reopened its delivery suite and maternity services, but the incident left a deep impact on those present.

Jess Hutchinson, 22, whose waters had broken at the time of the fire, described the situation as “scary,” recalling the sound of the fire crackling above the roof where many solar panels were destroyed. Another expectant mother, 32 weeks pregnant, Zainab Badaki, said the smoke filled the building and caused widespread panic. “It was very frightening, because everywhere was dark, the smoke was just all over the place,” she said. She witnessed emotional scenes, including a woman who had just given birth breaking down in tears as she was comforted by others.

No injuries have been reported so far, and Avon Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire is now extinguished. However, they have launched a full investigation into the cause of the blaze. The public has been urged to avoid the hospital area as emergency crews clear the scene and assess damage.

Matthew Burden, whose wife was in labour inside the maternity unit during the fire, shared his harrowing experience. “I went out to get some food, came back, and obviously the alarm went off,” he said. “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.” His wife was eventually moved to a nearby building, the Bristol University Life Sciences facility, along with other women, before being allowed to return once it was safe.

St Michael’s Hospital is a major maternity centre, delivering around 5,000 babies a year—approximately 14 births per day on average. It provides vital care throughout pregnancy, labour, and postnatal stages, including treatment for complications before birth.

Hospital managing director Professor Stuart Walker praised the dedication of the staff who worked closely with firefighters to ensure a partial evacuation was safely carried out. He reassured patients that the delivery suite and maternity services had reopened and encouraged those with appointments to attend as planned.

Avon and Somerset Police have supported the fire service throughout the incident, implementing road closures and pedestrian restrictions around St Michael’s Hill. They have advised the public to avoid the area wherever possible to allow emergency services to operate unhindered.

As the investigation into the fire’s origins continues, the hospital and city face the challenge of returning to normal after a terrifying afternoon that disrupted one of Bristol’s busiest maternity units. The swift response from fire crews and hospital staff helped prevent injuries, but the emotional toll on expectant mothers and their families remains evident.