A big ol’ fire broke out on the roof of the hospital, causing patients and staff to skedaddle to a university building for safety. St Michael’s Hospital, located on Southwell Street, had to partially evacuate everyone around 4.30pm as the flames raged on. Luckily, no one was hurt during the chaos.
The brave fire crews worked their magic to extinguish the fire by early evening, allowing the hospital to reopen its doors once again. Avon Fire and Rescue Service pointed their fingers at a fault in the solar panels on the roof as the culprit behind the blaze. Despite the hectic scene, firefighters took a moment to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in a recent fire in Bicester.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Professor Jeremy Tavaré, couldn’t stop gushing about how proud he was of the staff’s quick response to the emergency. The university team sprang into action, providing a safe haven for the evacuees along with some basic necessities like blankets, food, and water. It was definitely a stressful time for everyone involved, but the compassion and care shown by the staff did not go unnoticed.
