Elderly residents left homeless by blaze

East Sussex Council has temporarily rehoused 22 of the residents from Hyde Housing Association’s six-storey care home Marlborough House in Warrior Square, St Leonards.

Three people were taken to hospital where two people remained, although their condition is not thought to be life-threatening, and others went to stay with family and friends.

Hyde said 37 residents live in the 40-bed residence but not every resident was at home at the time.

A spokesperson for the housing association said: ‘Staff on the scene helped residents to safely vacate the premises and all have been temporarily accommodated elsewhere.

‘We have been working with the emergency services who attended the scene and representatives from Family Mosaic, who deliver support and care provision at the scheme, the local authority, local voluntary organisations, Christ Church on London Road and the commercial tenants. Our focus at this time remains the welfare of our residents and the management of their care and accommodation needs.’

Firefighters used a dry riser to pump water into multiple levels of the six-storey building and will now investigate the cause of the blaze, which started at 8.30am.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue worked at the block through the night and left the scene at 12.24pm today.

At the height of the fire, 55 firefighters tackled the blaze, 11 pumps were used and three aerial ladder platforms. Neighbouring properties were also evacuated and residents led to safety. UK Power Network also attended the scene and isolated the power supply.

Inspector Phil Hogan from Sussex police said: ‘Fortunately no-one is reported injured although three people have been taken to hospital – a man as a precaution and a woman to access medication.

‘A third person has reported feeling unwell. I appreciate that this has been quite an ordeal for those concerned and we are working with partner agencies to ensure they are supported and cared for.’