Hartlepool care home evacuated after dog walker spotted smoke

Seven appliances from as far away as Middlesbrough and Saltburn were called to the fire at Clifton House Residential Care Home, in Clifton Avenue, Hartlepool.

Care home manager Lisa Judson has confirmed that residents were evacuated to a safe area while the fire was being put out and nobody was injured.

The fire is believed to have started on the roof of the care home at around 5.20pm on Friday, March 3.

Cleveland Fire Brigade said the building, which has 28 beds, suffered slight smoke damage to its first floor. A small amount of timber on a flat roof was also damaged.

The alarm was raised after a lady who was walking past with a dog saw the smoke and informed care home staff.

"We are going to send her some flowers as a thank you,” said Lisa.

She added: "We had some amazing feedback from the fire brigade about the way we all handled the evacuation before they got here.

"At the time our plumber and handyman were in, they were doing some work. They helped evacuate residents at the time.

"The plumber actually got residents down the stairs. He didn’t have to, but he helped our evacuation process, so we want to say thank you to him as well.”

The fire engines – which came from Hartlepool, Billingham, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Saltburn stations – left the scene at around 6.55pm on Friday.

Firefighters used hose reel, thermal image camera and short extension ladder to tackle the flames.

Cleveland Fire Brigade have said that the cause was accidental.