Night-time blaze threatens care home residents

By Jamie Feltham

What should have been a peaceful night for the residents of a Canterbury care home turned into one of confusion and panic yesterday. Fourteen residents had to be evacuated when a fire was discovered in the laundry room at 10:50 pm.

The residents were taken to Kent and Canterbury hospitals while fire crews quickly disposed of the fire before it spread to other rooms. Because of the condition of some residents, including a 94 year old women, great care had to be taken in handling the situation.

Let back one by one, the last resident arrived back home at 5:30am.

“All residents are safe, which was our main priority,” said Terri Wall, home manager, “Some suffered from shock and some were unaware of what was happening but they have all had breakfast and a cup of tea and are resting.”