Three people have died and a care home in Dorset was evacuated after what was feared to have been a gas leak.
Dorset Police have launched an investigation into the “unexplained” deaths, and four residents were taken to hospital “as a precaution”.
The emergency services rushed to the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage on Wednesday morning.
Ten ambulances were called, along with six fire crews, including two teams from neighbouring Hampshire.
Other residents from the home were taken to a nearby church hall, where beds and blankets were provided for them.
The home, run by Agincare, has 48 residents, all elderly and some with dementia.
A Dorset councillor said there was a suspicion that the deaths were down to carbon monoxide poisoning but that it had not been proven.
Gas distribution company SGN said it was called to carry out safety checks as the national gas emergency service for the south of England.
The Health and Safety Executive said it was supporting Dorset Police and other authorities in the investigation.
Key Points
- Three dead and four in hospital as Dorset care home evacuated
- Police investigation into three ‘unexplained’ deaths
- Carbon monoxide poisoning suspected key line of police inquiry
We’ll be using this blog to bring you the latest updates after a care home in Swanage was evacuated, with police reporting that three people have died.
Three dead after Dorset care home evacuated and hazard response team called
Wednesday 23 October 2024 13:46 , Andy GregoryThree people have died and four taken to hospital after a care home in Dorset was evacuated and a hazard response team called.
A vast emergency response was mobilised to deal with the major incident in Swanage on Wednesday morning, with Dorset Police confirming the fatalities at Gainsborough Care Home shortly after 1pm.
Read more in this breaking report:
Three dead as Dorset care home evacuated and hazard response team called
Police investigation into three ‘unexplained’ deaths
Wednesday 23 October 2024 13:49 , Andy GregoryAn investigation has been launched because the three deaths in Swanage are being treated as “unexplained”, Dorset Police said.
The force said: “Four other people have been taken to hospital as a precaution and other residents of the address have been evacuated to a safe location as emergency services respond to the incident.
“There remains a significant multi-agency presence in place at the address and a cordon remains in place as we work with partners to carry out further enquiries.”
Gas company SGN called to care home
Wednesday 23 October 2024 13:50 , Andy GregoryGas distribution company SGN said they were called to the care home earlier today as the national gas emergency service for the south of England.
“Our engineers are waiting for access to the building to complete safety checks,” a spokesperson said.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this tragic incident.”
A hazard team was also part of the emergency response.
Nothing to indicate risk to wider public, police say
Wednesday 23 October 2024 13:53 , Andy GregoryThe families of those who have died have been informed and the coroner has been notified, Dorset Police said.
“At this time there is nothing to indicate any risk to the wider public,” a spokesperson said.
Residents bring blankets to church housing evacuated care home residents
Wednesday 23 October 2024 13:58 , Andy GregoryA Dorset councillor has said that evacuated care home residents were initially taken to All Saint's Church, near the care home, and will be moved to other placements.
Gary Suttle told of local residents “kindly” coming into the church bringing blankets in acts of “great community support”.
Ten double-crewed ambulances sent to scene
Wednesday 23 October 2024 14:06 , Andy GregorySouth Western Ambulance Service 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”.
Care home says it has called in extra staff
Wednesday 23 October 2024 14:09 , Andy GregoryA spokesperson for Gainsborough Care Home said they have allocated “extra staffing resources” to provide support.
They said: “An incident involving the care home took place this morning, and we have been closely working with the lead agencies to manage the welfare of all concerned.
“The wellbeing of residents is always our over-riding priority, and part of the local business continuity plan was to transfer residents in a managed way to a local village hall and church, where they remain safe and well.
“We appreciate that this is a stressful and worrying time for those involved, and have allocated extra staffing resources to provide support locally. We are contacting and updating residents’ families.
“We will continue to work with the lead local authority services to return residents into their home at the earliest opportunity, and will provide further updates in due course.”
Home brings in extra workers
Wednesday 23 October 2024 14:30 , Jane DaltonGainsborough Care Home said it had allocated “extra staffing resources” to support people affected, and that residents moved to a village hall and church were “safe and well”.
A spokesperson said: “We appreciate that this is a stressful and worrying time for those involved, and have allocated extra staffing resources to provide support locally. We are contacting and updating residents’ families.
“We will continue to work with the lead local authority services to return residents into their home at the earliest opportunity, and will provide further updates in due course.”
Police cordon off area
Wednesday 23 October 2024 14:32 , Jane Dalton
Police investigating and coroner informed
Wednesday 23 October 2024 14:52 , Jane DaltonDorset Police said they were carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances of what happened.
“The families of those who have died have been informed and the coroner has been notified,” they said.
“The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched.”
They added: “There remains a significant multi-agency presence in place at the address and a cordon remains in place as we work with partners to carry out further enquiries...
“We understand this incident will have a significant impact on the Swanage community and our thoughts are very much with the families of those who have sadly died at this extremely difficult time.”
In pictures: Fire crews at the scene
Wednesday 23 October 2024 15:15 , Jane Dalton
Locals will be devastated, says MP
Wednesday 23 October 2024 15:40 , Jane DaltonThe MP for the area says local people will be devastated by the deaths.
South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It will certainly be hitting the whole community hard. Swanage is a small tight-knit seaside town and I know people will be devastated by the news three people have sadly passed away.
“I think it’s really important that we allow the police and all the other emergency services to carry out their inquiries which are already under way, at which point they’ll be able to give us a fuller picture of just what’s gone on here.”
In a statement, he sent his condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died.
Please see below my statement following the incident in Swanage earlier today👇 pic.twitter.com/ssHgYuxTUM
— Lloyd Hatton MP 🇬🇧 (@HattonLloyd) October 23, 2024
Carbon monoxide poisoning suspected, says councillor
Wednesday 23 October 2024 15:54 , Jane DaltonCouncillor Gary Suttle, from Dorset Council, said there was a suspicion that the deaths were down to to carbon monoxide “but it has not been proven”.
Dorset Police declined to comment.
Katie Lobban, a spokeswoman for gas distribution company SGN, said they were called to the Gainsborough Care Home earlier on Wednesday as the national gas emergency service for the south of England.
She said engineers were sent to complete safety checks in the building, adding: “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this tragic incident.”
Police, fire and ambulances crossed from Poole to Swanage
Wednesday 23 October 2024 16:22 , Jane DaltonPatricia Garnel, who lives in Ulwell Road, where the care home is, said she started hearing sirens non-stop from around 8am.
“I knew something was happening as we started hearing sirens non-stop from around 8, 8.30am,” the 53-year-old said.
“As I was driving to the ferry the road was closed. I made it around, got to the ferry, and police, ambulances and fire brigades were crossing from Poole to Swanage. It was a huge apparatus. One I’ve never seen.”
Health and safety watchdog involved
Wednesday 23 October 2024 16:40 , Jane DaltonBritain’s health and safety watchdog says it is providing its backing for the investigation into how three residents died at the Gainsborough care home.
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said they were supporting Dorset Police and other relevant authorities.
Beds and blankets taken to church hall
Wednesday 23 October 2024 17:35 , Jane DaltonFirefighters carried beds into the church hall where other residents were taken.
A councillor said residents had taken blankets in acts of “great community support”.
Council 'trying to meet needs of vulnerable residents’
Wednesday 23 October 2024 18:25 , Jane DaltonDorset council said it was trying to meet the needs of the vulnerable residents forced to leave their care home.
It said: “Dorset Council is deeply saddened to hear of the deaths at the Gainsborough care home in Swanage.
“We are working with the home’s owners Agincare, emergency services and other partner agencies to support the residents of the care home who have been evacuated.
“Many of the residents are vulnerable people with significant care needs, and so we are working with them to understand how to meet their needs in the short term and identify their next steps.
“At this time there is nothing to indicate any risk to the wider public. We understand this incident will have a significant impact on the Swanage community and our thoughts are very much with the families of those who have sadly died at this extremely difficult time.”
In pictures: Aerial views of Gainsborough Care Home
Wednesday 23 October 2024 19:15 , Jane Dalton
Care Quality Commission 'helping ensure residents’ safety’
Wednesday 23 October 2024 20:10 , Jane DaltonThe Care Quality Commission, England’s care watchdog, said it was monitoring the situation and was in contact with the care provider to make sure other residents were kept safe.
Carbon monoxide poisoning key line of inquiry, police say
Wednesday 23 October 2024 20:25 , Jane DaltonPolice investigating the deaths of three people at the care home in Swanage say they are pursuing potential carbon monoxide poisoning as their “primary line of inquiry”.
Dorset Police Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey said seven people were also in hospital as a result of the incident at Gainsborough Care Home in Ulwell Road.
“The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained, and we are continuing to liaise with our partner agencies to establish the full circumstances of what has happened,” she said.
“Following earlier inquiries, I can confirm that potential carbon monoxide poisoning is our primary line of inquiry, but I would stress that there is nothing to indicate that there is currently any risk to the wider public.
“Swanage is a very close-knit community and I know these very sad deaths will have significant impact on everyone here.”
Off-duty care staff help out
Wednesday 23 October 2024 20:55 , Jane DaltonReverend Jo Levasier said residents who had to leave the care home were taken to All Saints Church on stretchers and in wheelchairs.
“We have a few beds that have been set up,” she said.
“Quite a few people are confused. I think most of them are OK.
“The care staff have been amazing, amazing. Lots of people who’ve had time off have just come in.
“Lots of care staff have been here, so it’s been amazing.
“I’ve been just trying to facilitate the different organisations working together in the one space, sorting tea and coffee.”
