A major incident was declared at University Hospital Southampton on Friday morning after a fire broke out in the hospital’s endoscopy unit, prompting the evacuation of around 200 patients and the cancellation of all planned outpatient appointments for the day. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were called to Southampton General Hospital at approximately 5.30am. The fire has since been contained, with no injuries reported among patients or staff. Emergency services closed roads surrounding the hospital, and the Emergency Department began diverting patients unless their condition was deemed life or limb threatening. Visitors were asked to stay away as the hospital activated contingency measures to manage the disruption. This was reported by the The WP Times editorial team with reference to the official statement from University Hospital Southampton.
Fire at University Hospital Southampton: what happened
According to information released by University Hospital Southampton, the fire started within the endoscopy unit at around 5.30am. Fire crews attended the scene shortly after the alarm was raised and worked to contain the incident within the affected part of the hospital site. The fire did not spread to other clinical areas, but smoke and damage made parts of the unit unusable.
Hospital management confirmed that approximately 200 patients were evacuated from the affected areas as a precaution. These patients were relocated to other parts of the hospital, including wards, departments and temporary spaces such as corridors, where care has continued. No patients or members of staff were injured as a result of the fire.
Emergency response and major incident declaration
The declaration of a major incident is a formal procedure used by NHS trusts when an event significantly disrupts normal operations and requires additional coordination. In this case, the decision allowed the hospital to prioritise patient safety, reallocate resources and coordinate with emergency services.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the fire was contained in the early morning hours. Police and ambulance services supported the response, including traffic management and patient transfers where required. Roads surrounding Southampton General Hospital were closed for several hours to allow emergency vehicles to operate safely and to prevent congestion around the site.
Impact on patients and hospital services
The fire has had an immediate impact on hospital services, particularly planned care. University Hospital Southampton confirmed that all outpatient appointments scheduled for the day were cancelled. Patients with appointments were advised not to attend and to wait to be contacted directly by the hospital with further information.
The Emergency Department remains open but is operating under restrictions. Patients whose conditions are considered life or limb threatening are still being received, particularly from the immediate vicinity. However, most other patients are being diverted to alternative services to reduce pressure on the hospital while internal operations are stabilised.
Hospital representatives stated that the damage caused by the fire would have a knock-on effect in the coming days, particularly in relation to outpatient activity linked to the affected areas.
Where patients are being directed for care
Patients requiring medical attention but not facing life-threatening conditions have been advised to use other healthcare services in the community. These include:
- Urgent Treatment Centres at the Royal South Hants Hospital in Southampton
- Urgent Treatment Centre in Lymington
- Local community pharmacies for minor illnesses
- NHS 111 for medical advice and guidance
The hospital emphasised that these measures are temporary and are intended to ensure patient safety while maintaining access to urgent care across the region.
Evacuation and internal patient transfers
Hospital officials confirmed that evacuated patients are currently being cared for in other areas of the hospital. Due to capacity constraints, some patients are temporarily located in corridors while staff work to redistribute them to appropriate wards and departments.
The hospital acknowledged that news of the fire and evacuation may cause anxiety for relatives and carers seeking information about loved ones. Staff are continuing to assess available space and move patients as conditions allow.
Telephone lines at the hospital have been described as exceptionally busy. The hospital has asked the public to refrain from calling unless the matter is urgent, to ensure that critical communications can be prioritised.
Operational changes following the fire
The fire has resulted in several immediate operational changes, summarised below:
| Area | Status |
|---|---|
| Endoscopy unit | Closed due to fire damage |
| Outpatient appointments | All cancelled for the day |
| Emergency Department | Open for life or limb threatening cases only |
| Visitors | Asked to stay away |
| Surrounding roads | Closed during emergency response |
| Staff parking | Additional parking made available on site |
These measures are being reviewed continuously as the situation evolves.
Role of emergency services and coordination
Fire crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service played a central role in containing the fire and ensuring the safety of patients and staff. Their work enabled hospital teams to focus on evacuation, patient care and internal coordination.
The hospital is working closely with NHS partners and local authorities to manage patient flows and ensure that alternative services can absorb increased demand. This includes coordination with ambulance services to redirect non-critical cases and with community healthcare providers.
Information updates and public communication
University Hospital Southampton stated that it will continue to provide updates through its official website and social media channels. These updates are intended to inform patients, staff and the wider public about service availability, appointment changes and any further impacts on hospital operations.
The hospital has asked patients with cancelled appointments not to attend the site and not to attempt to rebook independently. Instead, they should wait to be contacted directly with new appointment details once services resume.
Short-term consequences for healthcare access
The immediate effect of the fire is reduced capacity at one of the region’s largest hospitals, particularly for outpatient and diagnostic services linked to the endoscopy unit. This is expected to place additional pressure on nearby facilities and community services in the short term.
Health authorities have indicated that contingency plans are in place to manage this redistribution of demand. However, patients may experience delays, particularly for non-urgent procedures, as services are reorganised.
What this means for people right now
For patients and residents in Southampton and surrounding areas, the incident means changes to how and where care is accessed over the coming days. People with urgent, life-threatening conditions should continue to seek emergency help as normal. Those with less urgent needs are being asked to use alternative services and follow official guidance.
Relatives and visitors are advised to stay away from Southampton General Hospital while the response continues. Patients with appointments should monitor official communications and wait for direct contact from the hospital. The situation remains under active management as the hospital works to restore services safely.
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