Three care home residents have died and two have been rushed to hospital after a ‘major incident’ was declared in Dorset following a suspected carbon monoxide leak.
The elderly victims were found at the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, Dorset, at about 5.20am today.
More than 40 vulnerable residents and staff were evacuated by ambulances and taken to the All Saints Church nearby for shelter.
Dorset Police received a report at 7.16am after the three elderly residents were found dead.
Councillor Gary Suttle claimed: ‘I have been told by (Dorchester) social services there was a critical incident at the home. Three people are confirmed as dead and two people have been taken to hospital.’
He added that there is a ‘suspicion’ that ‘this could be attributable to carbon monoxide but it has not been proven’.
As many as 20 ambulances, fire engines and police were rushed to the scene this morning. Witnesses said staff members were seen outside the building hugging each other and crying.
The elderly victims were found at the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, Dorset, at about 5.20am today
As many as 20 ambulances, fire engines and police have been rushed to the scene are at the Gainsborough Care Home in Ullwell Road, Swanage
Some of the emergency crew rushed to the scene were said to be wearing hazmat suits
The 48-bedroom care home (pictured) is understood to be at the centre of the emergency effort
Some of the emergency crew were said to be wearing hazmat suits.
Gas company SGN are also on the scene alongside a Hazardous Area Response Team, although details of what has happened have not yet been revealed.
In a statement, they said it was a ‘tragic incident’, adding that they were at the scene in their capacity at the National Gas Emergency Service.
People living on Ulwell Road in Swanage, Dorset, saw Gainsborough Care Home residents being evacuated amid a heavy emergency services presence outside the home.
One man, who did not want to give his name, said: ‘They evacuated the care home, Gainsborough Care Home.
‘They have taken all the patients out but the emergency services are still on the scene.’
He said he saw some residents being evacuated in wheelchairs.
He believed emergency services arrived around 7am on Wednesday and he started to see people being moved out at around 8.30am.
He 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.
Emergency services use the ferry to rush across to the scene, with more ambulances waiting to get across
Witnesses said staff members were seen outside the building hugging each other and crying
A statement from South Western Ambulance Service, said: ‘We were called at 5.20am today to an incident at a care home in Swanage.
‘We sent a Hazardous Area Response Team, ten double-crewed ambulances and a significant number of additional resources.
‘Two patients were conveyed by ambulance to Poole Hospital.’
The 48-bedroom care home is understood to be at the centre of the emergency effort.
The facility, run by Agincare cares for elderly residents, some of whom have dementia.
All of the residents were taken to a nearby church hall.
Local resident Ken told the Bournemouth Echo: ‘It’s very sad what has happened here and shocking.
‘We heard a lot of sirens heading towards Swanage at about 8/8.30am.
Gas company SGN are also on the scene alongside a Hazardous Area Response Team, although details of what has happened have not yet been revealed
In a statement, they said it was a ‘tragic incident’, adding that they were at the scene in their capacity at the National Gas Emergency Service
‘I’ve never seen anything like it. I hope everybody in the care home is okay.’
Katie Lobban, spokesperson for gas network company SGN, said: ‘We were called to Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage earlier today in our capacity as the National Gas Emergency Service for the south of England.
‘Our engineers are waiting for access to the building to complete safety checks.
‘Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this tragic incident.’
Group Manager for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Neil Tidball added: ‘We were called at 7.47am this morning (23 October) to assist the ambulance service in Ulwell Road, Swanage.
‘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.’
