RESIDENTS left displaced after a fire broke out in a retirement building may not be home in time for Christmas, the council has warned.

A devastating fire tore through a section of Wellington Court in Poole Road on Thursday morning, December 16.

All of the 62 residents living at Wellington Court were evacuated, 21 of which were rescued - three people suffered smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene by South Western Ambulance Service.

As it happened: 62 people evacuated after fire at flats in Westbourne

The neighbouring Premier Inn hotel provided shelter for those that had been evacuated and officers from BCP Council have been supporting those needing help.

The local authority is currently determining residents' housing needs whilst the full extent of the fire damage is assessed, though whether they will return to their properties in time for Christmas remains uncertain.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “Officers from Housing and Adult Social Care continue to liaise with those who were evacuated from Wellington Court yesterday and are providing support to those residents affected by assessing their needs, and welfare.

“Last night, 25 residents were secured rooms in nearby hotels, seven have been arranged in care placements (either nursing home or residential) and 20 residents have been able to stay with family or friends.

“A number of the flats were unoccupied at the time of the incident, but BCP Council is standing by to support any returning residents as needed.

“Officers from Building Control will attend the block of flats again today, along with the building owners to make further assessments on its safety.”

When asked if the residents would return to the property or be moved to other permanent accommodation by Christmas, the council spokesperson said that it was “not yet clear” and will “depend on the review of the building structure and property damage over the next few days”.

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They said: “We will work to support a move back for everyone as soon as they possibly can.”

Fire crews from Westbourne, Springbourne, Redhill Park, two from Christchurch, three from Poole and Ferndown, together with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service crews from Ringwood, Wimborne, New Milton and Burley all attended the scene on Thursday.

Due to the scale of the fire damage, the cause has not been identified however Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has said it was accidental.

A spokesperson for DWFRS said: “ We have now finished our investigation and we can confirm that it was accidental but due the extent of the damage within the roof space, the exact cause is unknown.”