Major incident declared as 10 ambulances, cops & firefighters in biohazard suits scramble to care home after ‘gas leak’
A MAJOR incident has been declared as firefighters in biohazard suits scrambled to a care home after a suspected gas leak.
All three emergency services rushed to the scene in Dorset from 5.20am this morning, with multiple people taken to hospital.
A local reporter at the scene outside Gainsborough Care Home in Ullwell Road, Swanage, said there was “a very sombre feeling”.
They added: “Many staff hugging each other and crying.”
One witness, who lives on the road, said all care home residents were evacuated, with some being brought out in wheelchairs.
Katie Lobban, a spokesperson for Southern Gas Network 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.”
A South Western Ambulance Service spokesperson said they sent 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.
A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman also said they were called to the scene to assist ambulance crews in Ulwell Road 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 it 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 evacuated to a nearby church hall.
The family of one resident was called by the company and told that everyone was “fine”.