Templestowe nursing home Newmans on the Park catches fire
Almost 100 old people have had to be evacuated from their Templestowe nursing home, with police having to carry many from the burning building.
East
Don't miss out on the headlines from East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Almost 100 elderly people had to be evacuated after a fire at a Templestowe nursing home
Police had to carry many of the elderly out of Newmans on the Park aged care facility as firefighters tackled the fire in its roof.
Doncaster police Acting Sergeant Michael Aparo said emergency services rushed to the home on Newmans Rd just after 5pm yesterday after a fire started in the chimney of its kitchen.
Sgt Aparo said blaze then spread to the roof of the three-storey building, and flames could reportedly be seen from outside.
A total of 97 patients and 24 staff were evacuated from the facility, with no one injured.
Act Sgt Aparo said the police at the scene did a really good job to evacuate the residents, having to physically carry those in wheelchairs or those who couldn’t move quickly enough.
Act Sgt Aparo said there were no reported cases of COVID-19 among any of the patients or people at the scene.
He said the extensive water and smoke damage to the home meant some residents had to be housed off site for the night.
MORE: COVID-19 HELPING THOSE FACING CHARGES GET BAIL
BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR TRAFFIC COPS
CAUSE OF BOX HILL HOUSE FIRE SUSPICIOUS
They were transported away in buses.
Act Sgt Aparo said the scene wasn’t cleared until about 9.30pm.
Newmans on the Park spokeswoman Melanie Wilkinson said the company praised the swift and professional actions of its staff and the emergency services.
She confirmed some residents had been relocated to other aged care homes while repairs were taking place.
“Our management team has been keeping families up to date and would like to assure family and friends that we have the necessary plans in place to ensure the best of care for our residents throughout this time,” she said.