Huge blaze near Southmead Hospital leaves smoke billowing into the air

An ‘avoid area’ warning has been issued following a huge fire near Southmead Hospital.

Huge columns of smoke were pictured near the facility near Bristol.

Bristol North NHS Trust said the blaze had not affected the main building and is under control.

In a statement it said: ‘The situation involving a fire near to the Southmead site remains under control.

One video shot by a local resident showed smoke billowing from the roof of a nearby home.

Other reports suggested the blaze had also affected a local laundrette and a builders’ merchants, with other witnesses in the area reporting a smell of burnt laundry.

‘Please be assured that the hospital is fully open, however if you are driving to the site please use the main entrance off Monks Park Avenue, and allow extra time for your journey as nearby roads are affected.’

Avon Fire and Rescue service said that as of 5pm crews had put out the inferno, the cause of which was accidental.

Earlier this afternoon it advised people to avoid the area due to congestion and told residents to keep their windows and doors closed.

It said: ‘The fire is now out, and crews have scaled back. The remaining crews are dampening down the scene and checking for hotspots.

‘Crews used multiple jets and hose reels and isolated the gas and electricity while 15 firefighters wore breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. Crews worked with the Police and the Ambulance to make the scene safe. The cause of the fire is accidental.’

An earlier Facebook statement said: ‘Crews from Southmead, Patchway, Kingswood, Hicks Gate, Bath, Yate, Temple, Bedminster and Avonmouth Fire Stations, are currently on the scene of a fire at a property on Southmead Road Southmead.

‘Firefighters are currently tackling the fire. Please avoid the area as the road is congested. If you live nearby, please keep your windows and doors closed.’

Several local bus services have been disrupted as routes have been diverted away from the affected area.

Stagecoach West said that some of its services had been delayed by up to 30 minutes as a result of the fire.

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