THERE is finally light at the end of the tunnel for some of the residents made homeless by a fire that tore through a retirement home last year.

A number of elderly residents are expected to be able to return home in a matter of weeks as remedial works to the fire damaged Wellington Court take shape.

People were evacuated from their flats in the retirement complex in Westbourne in the early hours of December 16.

Since then many have been left living at the Premier Inn next door, of which previous safeguarding concerns had been raised.

The property management company FirstPort has confirmed that though a number of people will be able to return home, some residents - in flats most severely damaged - will need to be out of their flats for much longer.

Bournemouth Echo: Fire damage to Wellington Court. Credit: Henry BullenFire damage to Wellington Court. Credit: Henry Bullen

Speaking to the Bournemouth Daily Echo, FirstPort, stated that those who must remain out of their homes for a longer period “have moved (or will be moving very shortly) into suitable accommodation that can accommodate them for a longer period comfortably at no cost to themselves”.

“All residents who requested to move from the Premier Inn have been accommodated elsewhere.

“The small number of residents currently still at the Premier Inn have informed us that they would prefer to remain there until they can return home.”

Work to install the new fire safety systems - fire panel, smoke detection system and emergency call system – started on Monday, January 31.

FirstPort anticipate the work to take four weeks, from January 31.

“There are some apartments that require extra work to dry them out and we’re in touch with impacted residents to discuss what we are doing. This includes activity such as providing dehumidifiers and the removal of fixtures and fittings to escalate the drying out process,” the spokesperson said.

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“We’re continuing work to strip out the top floor of affected fire damaged areas, so that we can survey the structure and plan for any longer term work that may be needed.”

The lounge and library in Wellington Court has been reopened ahead of residents being allowed to move back in.

The spokesperson said: “We envisage some residents will be able to start moving back into their homes towards the end February/first week of March.

“We appreciate that this is not as soon as some residents may wish, but we can only allow residents to return to their homes when the new fire safety systems have been installed, and it is safe for them to do so.”