A huge fire broke out at a hospital in Bristol this afternoon, with patients and their loved ones evacuated as firefighters swooped in.

Emergency services made their way onto the roof of St Michael's Hospital, a maternity facility, to battle the blaze.

But dramatic footage from the scene showed thick black plumes of smoke billowing out over the building.

Jess Hutchinson, 22, an expectant mother inside whose waters had broken, said it was "scary" hearing the fire break out on the roof, the BBC reported.

Patients and their loved ones had to be evacuated as firefighters swooped in

While Matthew Burden, from nearby Weston-super-Mare, was forced outside while the blaze broke out.

Burden's wife was in labour with their third baby - and he was "really eager to get back" to her.

"I went out to get some food, came back and obviously the alarm went off," he said. "They said all partners had to leave. Everyone was going down the fire exit quite fast.

"When we came out I saw black smoke, all up in flames."

Some pregnant women also had to be moved outside, where reports from the scene detailed how midwives sprung into action to help them.

A spokesman for Avon Fire and Rescue said: "We're currently responding to a fire on Southwell Street, Bristol.

"We encourage people to avoid the area while we deal with the incident. Further updates will be issued."

Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the nearby St Michael's Hill was closed to vehicles and pedestrians as it urged locals to avoid the area if possible.