Gainsborough Care Home has been cordoned off while investigation work takes place
Investigation work is continuing after three people died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a care home.
Seven people were taken to hospital and residents were evacuated from Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, Dorset, early on Wednesday.
A 60-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Wednesday evening.
Tributes have been paid to the local community for “stepping in” to help the affected elderly residents.
Image source, Getty Images
Residents were taken to All Saints Church in Swanage
Emergency services were first called to the home on Ulwell Road at 05:20 BST on Wednesday.
About 40 residents from the home were later transferred, some in wheelchairs, to All Saints Church a short distance away.
Dorset Police said the deaths were being treated as “unexplained” but potential carbon monoxide poisoning was the “primary line of inquiry”.
The force said the families of those who died have been informed and the coroner has been notified.
Rev Jo Levasier spoke to the BBC after care home residents were taken to her church
All Saints’ Vicar Jo Levasier said: “It was somewhere warm and dry as it was raining at the time. It was great we had the space and to be able to offer it.
She said members of the community brought blankets, while food was sent from another care home and the local school also offered assistance.
“Everyone has stepped in to help. The Emergency services were fantastic. The community does work and it’s great when people pull together at times of crisis.”
‘Vulnerable people’
A local bakery, donated several boxes of pastries to comfort the evacuated care home residents, while bags of fish and chips were sent by a restaurant
Dorset South MP Lloyd said the deaths at the care home were a “devastating blow to the whole community”.
“It’s a place of really strong community and people care for one another and look out for one another – its been fantastic to see that community spirit in play,” he added.
Dorset Council said it was working with the home and other agencies to support the residents of the care home.
“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,” it said on Wednesday.
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