Praise for rescuers as 59 elderly care home residents rescued from blaze
RESCUERS and local residents have been praised for their efforts to help 59 pensioners after a massive blase at an Inverness nursing home
Staff and residents of the Culloden Court Nursing Home had to leave the building yesterday evening as a result of the blaze.
Firefighters were still at the scene today, dampening down the property.
And police and the fire brigade will carry out a joint investigation into the cause of the fire once the area is safe.
Meanwhile Highland Council leaders revealed how local people and businesses rallied to help after the elderly residents and 12 members of staff at the home had to be evacuated.
A nearby school was opened up as an emergency reception centre while social work staff found other accommodation for the residents.
Local people brought blankets, a supermarket donated pyjamas and other essentials, and staff from a chemists store arrived to ensure people had the necessary medication.
Care homes across the area were contacted to see if they could provide beds and one company opened up newly refurbished wings in two of its properties, accommodating almost half of the residents.
With the help of a fleet of ambulances and minibuses all the residents were moved from the school by 11pm last night.
Councillor Margaret Davidson, chairman of Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee said: “We are all relieved and delighted that everyone is safe and sound.
“Social work and the emergency services all pulled together with the care home staff, school and local people to ensure that people were looked after, and found alternative accommodation. It was a remarkable exercise.”
And Bill Alexander, director of social work at the council, said: “Tribute must be paid to many people, who made sure the residents were cared for, and that they were all on their way to other care homes well before midnight.
“All of the agencies worked together, and residents and professionals from all over the area came together to help out.
“Over the next few days we will work with the residents and their families to help make sure that permanent arrangements are made for their ongoing care.”
