A horror incident in a care home has left three people dead and more injured. The tragedy is suspected to be the result of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Emergency services rushed to Gainsborough Care Home in Ullwell Road, Swanage on Wednesday morning. LBC has since reported a local councillor in Dorset has confirmed three deaths.
A local resident witnessed an evacuation at the care home. He told the PA news agency: “They evacuated the care home, Gainsborough Care Home. They have taken all the patients out but the emergency services are still on the scene.”
A South Western Ambulance Service spokesperson said they were called at 5.20am on Wednesday to an incident in Swanage, sending a hazard response team, 10 double-crewed ambulances and “a significant number of additional resources”.
“Two patients were conveyed by land ambulance to Poole Hospital,” they added.
(Image: BNPS)
A witness who asked not to be named, estimated there were two fire engines, three to four police cars and around eight or nine ambulances at the scene, where the road remains closed.
A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said they were called to the scene to assist ambulance crews at 7.47am.
Group manager Neil Tidball said: “We currently have four fire crews on scene from Swanage, Wareham, Westbourne, Poole, a support vehicle from Dorchester, along with two crews from Winchester (Hampshire and IoW FRS).
“Firefighters are working with Dorset Police, South West Ambulance Service and other partners to resolve this incident.”
Dorset Police said they could not yet confirm any details of the incident.
The home, run by Agincare, has 48 residents, all elderly and some with dementia.
All of the residents were taken to a nearby church hall.
The family of one resident was called by the company on Wednesday morning and told that everyone was “fine”.
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