Two fires, police pursuit and smartphone ban

A fire broke out at the maternity building at St Michael's Hospital on Thursday

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What have been the big stories in the West this week?

Fire crews were called to a tower block in Marybush Lane, near Castle Park in Bristol on Tuesday evening. All 188 residents living there had to leave their homes and 10 people were rescued from the fourth floor. The fire service confirmed the fire was accidental, caused by a charging e-scooter. Bristol Live kept people updated as the incident unfolded with a live page.

Motorists using the A350 and M4 in Wiltshire faced hours of disruption on Tuesday after a police pursuit ended in a crash along the junction 17 slip road for Chippenham. Officers found guns at the scene and arrested a man on suspicion of aggravated burglary, dangerous driving and possession of firearms. Swindon Advertiser covered the story.

Somerset Live compiled a gallery following the completion of an operation to remove five sunken boats out of the River Avon in Bath. A spokesperson from Bath and North East Somerset Council said the removal will "ensure the safety of all river users and enhance everyone's enjoyment of this iconic waterway".

ITV West Country were quick to get to the scene of a fire which forced an evacuation at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol on Thursday evening. Staff, patients and babies were escorted onto the street, with some expectant mothers in labour at the time. The blaze was put out after about an hour and the fire service confirmed on Friday that it was caused accidentally due to "a fault in the solar panels".

Top five local stories for the BBC in the West

Something longer to read

A charity is hoping to ban smartphones from all classrooms. The Bristol-based charity Papaya - Parents Against Phone Addiction in Young Adolescents - believes delaying phone access until children are older could "significantly" improve their mental health.

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