Care home residents supported after fire breaks out

Emergency teams came together to help residents after a fire broke out at a care home in Littlehampton yesterday.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire at St Joseph’s Nursing Home on East Street at 9.30am. On arrival crews found a fire involving solar panels on the roof of the building.

All residents and staff were swiftly evacuated to the nearby Flintstone Centre where their immediate care needs could be met while firefighters  from Littlehampton, East Preston, Arundel and Worthing brought the fire under control.

Throughout the day staff from West Sussex County Council’s adult social care teams and Arun District Council worked closely with the Resilience and Emergencies Team to ensure residents affected by this fire were safe and supported.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus brought the fire under control using two hose reels, one covering jet and a safety jet alongside the Aerial Ladder Platform from Worthing Fire Station. Members of the public were urged to avoid the area due to the high number of emergency service vehicles in attendance.

Crews remained at the scene until just before 2pm, with officers returning to carry out a reinspection to ensure there was no reignition of the fire.

Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Fire & Rescue  and Communities said: “I would like to thank all of the firefighters and officers involved in the operation yesterday for their swift response in preventing what could have been a much worse outcome for all involved.

“Officers from a wide number of different partner organisations worked together to ensure that those residents affected by this fire received the highest level of care and support while suitable alternative accommodation was arranged as quickly as possible.

Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “I am very proud of all of the staff involved in yesterday’s emergency response, who pulled together as one team amidst these very challenging circumstances we find ourselves in to help keep our residents safe. ”

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