A woman has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after three people died and seven others were hospitalised following a major incident at a care home in Swanage
Detectives investigating the deaths of three people at a care home in Swanage have arrested a 60-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter, Dorset Police said.
The suspect was arrested just hours after police said the deaths were being treated as “unexplained” and possible carbon monoxide posioning is the “primary line of inquiry.”
Seven people from Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage were hospitalised “as a precaution” and the property has been evacuated. Fifteen ambulances, fire crews and police officers rushed to the scene in Ulwell Road in Swanage, Dorset, at 05:20am along with gas engineers from the Southern Gas Network (SGN). Dorset Police confirmed there was no risk to the wider public.
“The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched,” the police force said.
It 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. 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.”
Councillor Gary Suttle said evacuated care home residents were initially taken to All Saint’s Church, near the scene, and will be moved to other placements. He told of local residents “kindly” going to the church with blankets in acts of “great community support”.
A spokesperson for gas network company, Southern Gas Network confirmed that the firm’s engineers were called to the care home this morning. It 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.”
People living near the scene in Ulwell Road saw residents being taken out of the building. One man, who did not want to give his name, told PA: “They evacuated the care home, Gainsborough Care Home. They have taken all the patients out but the emergency services are still on the scene.” He said he saw some residents being taken out in wheelchairs.
Patricia Garnel, who lives in Ulwell Road, 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.”
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