A spokesperson for Dorset Police stated: “Enquiries are being carried out to establish the full circumstances, and we are continuing to liaise with our partner agencies. The families of those who have died have been informed, and the coroner has been notified.
Residents Evacuated
More than 40 residents and staff from the 48-bedroom facility were evacuated and taken to All Saints Church nearby for shelter. The care home, run by Agincare, cares for elderly residents, some of whom have dementia. Witnesses reported seeing staff members hugging each other and crying outside the building.
As many as 20 emergency vehicles, including fire engines, ambulances, and police cars, arrived at the scene, with some responders wearing hazmat suits. A local resident said, “They evacuated the care home. They have taken all the patients out, but the emergency services are still on the scene.
Ongoing Investigation
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, alongside the South Western Ambulance Service and Dorset Police, continue to manage the situation. Group Manager Neil Tidball from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said, “We currently have four fire crews on the scene from Swanage, Wareham, Westbourne, Poole, a support vehicle from Dorchester, along with two crews from Winchester (Hampshire and IOW FRS). Firefighters are working with Dorset Police, South West Ambulance Service, and other partners to resolve this incident.”
Gas company SGN has also been deployed to the site. Katie Lobban, spokesperson for SGN, stated: “We were called to Gainsborough Care Home 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.”
Community Impact
Councillor Gary Suttle confirmed the deaths, stating: “I have been told by social services there was a critical incident at the home. Three people are confirmed as dead.” He added that there is suspicion that the cause could be linked to carbon monoxide, though it has not yet been proven.
Local residents expressed shock at the scale of the response. One witness reported hearing multiple sirens around 8am and said, “I’ve never seen anything like it. I hope everybody in the care home is okay.”
No Risk to the Wider Public
Dorset Police have assured the public that there is no indication of any risk beyond the immediate area of the care home. However, they have urged the local community to avoid the scene while the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities are continuing to work with emergency teams to determine the exact cause of the incident. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
