A fire at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol, the city’s main maternity hospital, was caused accidentally by a fault in solar panels on its roof, Avon Fire and Rescue Service has said. The blaze forced patients and staff to evacuate, but firefighters contained it to the roof and no casualties were reported; hospital services have since resumed.

The fire began on Thursday afternoon and produced thick black smoke visible across the city centre. A small number of planned appointments were rescheduled, while the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust said affected patients had been contacted and others should attend appointments unless told otherwise.