'Critical incident' still in place at hospital

Avon Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Bristol Royal Infirmary on Friday

An "internal critical incident" at a hospital is still in place as services are restored after a power cut and fire.

The Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) was evacuated on Friday at around 14:30 BST and generators were used to power the intensive care unit and ensure some operations could continue.

The hospital's adult A&E is now open to both ambulances and walk-in patients, a University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust said.

The trust previously confirmed all patients, visitors and colleagues were safe and said power had been fully restored to all of its hospitals.

The children's hospital was unaffected

Dr Rebecca Maxwell, interim chief medical officer, said on Saturday: “Power has now been fully restored to all of our hospitals, and we remain in internal critical incident as we carefully reset and restore our services.

“Our adult Emergency Department is now open to both ambulances and urgent walk-in patients. Our Children’s Emergency Department continues to be open to both ambulances and walk-in patients.

“Patients with appointments should attend as planned unless we have contacted them directly, and we welcome visitors back to our hospitals.

“The safety of our patients and colleagues has been maintained throughout thanks to the amazing efforts of our staff, emergency services and healthcare partners.”

On Friday, Avon Fire and Rescue Service confirmed 10 appliances had been sent to the scene.

Upper Maudlin Street was closed by police, before being re-opened by the end of the day.