Major Incident Declared After Fire at Southampton General Hospital
A major incident has been declared following a significant fire that broke out at Southampton General Hospital in the early hours of the morning. The incident prompted a large-scale emergency response, including the evacuation of patients and the closure of surrounding roads.
Emergency Response and Evacuation
Fire crews were called to Southampton General Hospital at 5.30am after reports of a blaze. At the peak of the incident, more than 100 firefighters were deployed to battle the flames, with crews remaining on site to dampen down hotspots and ensure the fire is fully extinguished. Emergency services swiftly declared a major incident, coordinating efforts to manage the situation and protect public safety.
Patients were evacuated from affected areas of the hospital as a precautionary measure. The hospital has confirmed that the fire is now contained and, fortunately, no injuries have been reported among patients, staff, or emergency responders.
Hospital Operations and Impact
In response to the fire, Southampton General Hospital is diverting patients away unless their condition is deemed life or limb threatening. This measure aims to reduce strain on resources and ensure critical care can continue uninterrupted. All planned outpatient appointments for Sunday have been cancelled, and visitors are being asked to stay away to allow emergency services and hospital staff to focus on containment and recovery efforts.
The cause of the blaze remains unknown at this time, with investigations likely to follow once the situation is fully under control. The hospital and local authorities are working closely to assess damage and plan for a return to normal operations.
Community and Safety Measures
Roads surrounding the hospital were closed by emergency services to facilitate access for fire crews and other responders. This disruption is expected to continue as crews work to secure the site. The declaration of a major incident underscores the severity of the situation and the coordinated response required to address it.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The priority remains ensuring the safety of all individuals involved and minimising further disruption to healthcare services in the Southampton area.
