A major incident has been declared at University Hospital Southampton after a fire broke out early Sunday morning, forcing the evacuation of patients and prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Fire crews from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were called to Southampton General Hospital at approximately 5:30 a.m. At the height of the operation, more than 110 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze. The fire has since been contained, and no injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Evacuations and Disruptions
All patients in affected areas were safely evacuated, and surrounding roads were closed to ensure public safety. The hospital has requested that visitors stay away, and all planned outpatient appointments for Sunday have been cancelled.
The hospital’s Emergency Department is operating on a restricted basis, accepting only life- or limb-threatening cases, while less urgent patients are being redirected to nearby facilities, including the Royal South Hants Hospital.
Ongoing Response
Fire crews remain on site to fully dampen and secure affected areas, preventing any risk of re-ignition. Authorities have confirmed that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Hospital officials emphasized that patient safety remains their top priority and thanked emergency services for their swift and coordinated response.
