ELDERLY residents who were evacuated from a Swanage care home following suspected carbon monoxide being released into the air have not moved back in nearly three weeks later. 

Three people died at the Gainsborough care home in Ulwell Road, Swanage, on October 23 – including an 86-year-old woman and two men, aged 74 and 91. 

Enquiries by police officers remain ongoing while the woman who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and aged in her 60s remains released under investigation. 

Dorset Council’s spokesman said agencies are working closely with families to provide permanent accommodation for the circa 40 residents who were evacuated.

(Image: Jamie Lashmar)

He said: “While this is still a live police investigation, Dorset Council is working with other agencies to return the majority of residents to the care home as efficiently and quickly as possible and when all the agencies agree that it is safe to do so.  

“Agencies are working closely with individuals and families to assess their situations and plan for the coming days and weeks.  

“This process is being handled with care and consideration to mitigate what has been a traumatic event for all involved."  

(Image: BNPS)

Dorset Police’s spokesman added that the force is unable to give any further details on the investigation.

The care home, run by Agincare, can support up to 48 people aged 65 and over and is adapted for those with dementia, mental health conditions and physical disabilities.

Its last inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in all five key areas: safety, effectiveness, caring, responsive and well-led in April 2019 led to an overall rating of ‘good’.

At this stage, the deaths are being treated as unexplained although police are investigating carbon monoxide poisoning as its “primary line of enquiry”.

After completing checks at the site, gas network company SGN confirmed there was no gas leak in the network.

The Health and Safety Executive said it continues to help agencies with the investigation.