SCARED patients fled a hospital after a major power outage saw a city plunged into darkness during a “critical incident”.
People being treated at the Bristol Royal Infirmary were told to leave the site immediately after evacuation began.
SWNSThe scene at the Bristol Royal Infirmary after a possible power cut[/caption]
LNPPeople sit under blankets on the pavement as Emergency services attend the scene[/caption]
SWNSMembers of the public have been asked not to attend Bristol city centre hospitals until the incident is resolved[/caption]
One person there said at least three fire engines rushed to scene amid the chaos in Upper Maudlin Street.
Police officers on horseback were seen asking people to leave the area with other hospitals in the city also affected.
Multiple emergency services remain at the scene in Bristol city centre after what hospital bosses have since described as a “power outage”.
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS wrote on social media: “We have declared an internal critical incident due to a power outage affecting a number of our hospitals in Bristol city centre.
“We are asking the public not to attend our hospitals until the incident is resolved. Please use alternative services in the area.”
The hospital has said that there was no “roof collapse” despite a number of employees being told this, reports BristolLive.
The outlet said it had been told that the hospital lost power before the first alarm was heard.
A number of elderly patients were reported to have been wrapped in blankets and were waiting outside the hospital.
Lisa Davidson, 50, a housewife from Bristol, was having a blood infusion for Crohn’s disease.
She said: “All the lights went off and they kept flashing on and off.
“Then they told us to go out, we couldn’t find our way out. We tried to get out from the main entrance but that was locked so we had to come out from the car park.
“It was really scary, I felt a bit upset. They had to stop my infusions to evacuate. It was like a nightmare.”
Avon and Somerset Police said they were supporting Avon Fire and Rescue Service with “an ongoing incident” believed to be caused by an electrical fault at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
The force said: “Officers arrived on scene within 10 minutes and are supporting the fire service with road closures.
“The mounted section and drone units are among our resources in attendance.”
Several roads closed for a time, including Lower Maudlin Street, Upper Maudlin Street, Malborough Street, Jamaica Street, St Michael’s Hill and Colston Hill, but later all reopened except for Upper Maudlin Street for inbound traffic.