BBCInvestigation work is continuing after three people died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a care home.
Seven people were taken to hospital and residents were evacuated from Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, Dorset, early on Wednesday.
A 60-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Wednesday evening.
Tributes have been paid to the local community for “stepping in” to help the affected elderly residents.
Getty ImagesEmergency services were first called to the home on Ulwell Road at 05:20 BST on Wednesday.
About 40 residents from the home were later transferred, some in wheelchairs, to All Saints Church a short distance away.
Dorset Police said the deaths were being treated as “unexplained” but potential carbon monoxide poisoning was the “primary line of inquiry”.
The force said the families of those who died have been informed and the coroner has been notified.
Speaking on BBC Radio Solent’s Dorset breakfast programme, the town’s deputy mayor Chris Moreton said: “My main thought this morning is naturally for the families that have lost loved ones.”
Mr Moreton said he went across to the church on Ulwell Road with his wife to offer help on Wednesday morning as the residents started to arrive.
“The response of the ambulance service gives you some initial thought of the situation which I would describe as dire,” he said.
“The manner in which it happened so quickly is enough to shock anyone – thank you to those who went the extra mile.
“The [care home] staff are traumatised… we will be endeavouring to support them.”
All Saints’ Vicar Jo Levasier said: “It was somewhere warm and dry as it was raining at the time. It was great we had the space and to be able to offer it.
She said members of the community brought blankets, while food was sent from another care home and the local school also offered assistance.
“Everyone has stepped in to help. The Emergency services were fantastic. The community does work and it’s great when people pull together at times of crisis.”
‘Vulnerable people’
A local bakery, donated several boxes of pastries to comfort the evacuated care home residents, while bags of fish and chips were sent by a restaurant
Dorset South MP Lloyd said the deaths at the care home were a “devastating blow to the whole community”.
“It’s a place of really strong community and people care for one another and look out for one another – its been fantastic to see that community spirit in play,” he added.
Dorset Council said it was working with the home and other agencies to support the residents of the care home.
“Many of the residents are vulnerable people with significant care needs, and so we are working with them to understand how to meet their needs in the short term and identify their next steps,” it said on Wednesday.
