The High Dependency Unit (HDU), sometimes known as Intensive Care, was evacuated yesterday evening after an oxygen gas cylinder exploded while in use at the Royal United Hospital.
The hospital’s fire alarms were all activated upon the explosion in the eleven bed unit and Avon Fire and Rescue arrived at the scene at 7.24pm, where the fire had already been put out.
Eleven patients were evacuated from HDU, being transferred to the theatre recovery areas. Three people were transferred to the Bristol Royal Infirmary while the patient closest to the blast has been moved to the burns unit at Frenchay.
The smell of burning wood and plastic is reported to have been smelt throughout the building as the area was evacuated.
A spokesman for the RUH said: “Our staff acted incredibly quicky and professionally to ensure all patients were safety evacuated“.
A number of the hospital staff were treated for smoke inhalation during the incident.
