Two people are in hospital after an incident at a care home as hazmat teams and ambulances swarmed the scene.
Crews were rushed to the facility in Swanage, Dorset, after receiving the alarm at 5.20am on Wednesday. Around 10 double-crewed ambulances and “a significant number of additional resources” scrambled to the scene.
As reported in the Mirror, two patients were rushed to Poole Hospital from the 48-bed care home. Their current conditions are unknown.
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.”
A spokesperson for gas network company, Southern Gas Network, confirmed that the firm’s engineers were called to the care home this morning. Katie Lobban said the service was working in its capacity as the National Gas Emergency Service for the south of England.
She said: “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.”
Dorset Police said it could not yet confirm any details of the incident. Matt Simpson, a reporter for the Bournemouth Echo, said on social media that there is a “sombre feeling” at the care home on Ulwell road. He wrote: “There’s a very sombre feeling here in Ulwell Road. Many staff hugging each other and crying.
“Meanwhile, multiple ambulances are parked at the nearby All Saints church.”
Local resident, Ken, told the Echo it was “very sad what has happened here and shocking”. He added: “We heard a lot of sirens heading towards Swanage at about 8/8.30am. I’ve never seen anything like it. I hope everybody in the care home is okay.”
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