Bristol fire: Tower block evacuated and six people injured

A tower block has been evacuated after a fire broke out in Bristol.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) were first called to Eccleston House on Aiken Street, Barton Hill, at 06:08 BST.

The fire was extinguished by 9:15 and six people were injured - three of whom required hospital treatment, Bristol City Council (BCC) said.

A 12-year-old who lives in the building said he woke up to people shouting "fire" and said "everyone was scared".

A council-run rest centre has been established at St Patrick's Catholic Church and a a community-led one has opened at the Tawfiq Masjid and Centre.

Both sites are providing welfare support - including help with food, clothing and access to medicine - for around 40 people in total, BCC said.

Dave Hodges, from AFRS, said the decision to evacuate was taken after the first floor fire spread to the outside of the building.

All of the casualties had burns and/or smoke inhalation and the three people who were not taken to hospital were treated at the scene by paramedics, he added.

Resident of the building Zachariah, 12, said he was woken by people shouting.

He continued: "I was a bit confused and told my parents to wake up.

"When we opened the door, we saw ash falling from the top floor, everyone was scared and hoping that everyone would be safe."

Fire engines from Temple, Hicks Gate, Bedminster, Kingswood, Southmead and Portishead were in attendance at Aiken Street.

Police closed roads around Eccleston House and AFRS told people to avoid the area.

The service said it had received a "large volume of 999 calls" about the fire.

It added that the cause of the fire is currently unknown and a full investigation is being carried out.

The incident comes after a man died during a tower block blaze at Twinnell House near Stapleton Road in September.

A large fire also broke out at a derelict hotel near Temple Meads station on Tuesday night.

Mayor Marvin Rees thanked "everyone in the community who responded so swiftly to help".

"Many people will feel affected by recent events, including the fire at nearby Twinnell House, and I would encourage residents to seek support from the council's housing and welfare teams," he added.

"It is completely understandable that high-rise residents across the city may feel upset and worried.

"We will be doing all we can to support them and will also be reminding all high-rise tenants in our city of the fire safety advice specific to their blocks," he said.

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