17 Aug 2011
A south London care home has been badly damaged after a fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Firefighters rescued residents of the Guinness Court Care Home, on Leafy Way, Croydon, with seven later taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
A London Fire Brigade Spokeswoman said: “The two-storey building was badly damaged by fire.
“Six people were rescued by firefighters, three via ladder and three via an internal staircase, and a further 10 people were led to safety by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.”
The firefighters took three hours to extinguish the fire and they spent much of the morning at the scene.
Woodside Fire Station watch manager Danny Kelly said: “We were out dealing with a bin fire and a car fire in the local area when we noticed smoke pouring over the rooftops.
“We got into the fire engine and went to investigate. As we got closer we saw flames and smoke shooting out of the care home and realised there were people inside.
“Crews quickly got to work rescuing people and putting out the flames.”
Copyright Press Association 2011