Huge fire rages at Bristol hospital as black smoke fills sky

A massive fire has torn through a maternity hospital in .

Plumes of thick black smoke filled the entire Bristol skyline following a fire that started at around 4:30pm at Saint Michael's Hospital on Southwell Street.

Multiple fire crews battled bright orange flames that burned through the roof of the building.

The blaze was extinguished at around 5:25pm and an investigation will follow into the cause of the fire, as confirmed by Avon Fire and Rescue.

The public has been asked to avoid the area where possible.

St Michael's Hill has been closed in both directions, and queueing traffic has built up due to the emergency service presence from Tyndall Avenue to Horfield Road.

Avon Fire and Rescue 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. Further updates will be issued in due course."

Within minutes the service added: "We can confirm that the fire has safely been extinguished. The cause of the fire will be investigated."

Avon and Somerset Police said: "Police are supporting Avon Fire & Rescue colleagues at the scene of a fire at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol which was reported at about 4.30pm on Thursday 22 May.

"St Michael's Hill is closed to vehicles and pedestrians and people are urged to avoid the area if at all possible."

A witness told Bristol Live: "We could all the smoke billowing from the flames on top of the hospital. Then it started to thin out and we could see a firefighter with a hose pushing the flames back and advancing across the roof."

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