A HEALTH firm boss has praised staff after they helped evacuate residents from a care home after a fire broke out in the early hours.

The emergency services were called to Victoria House on Park Road North in Middlesbrough at around 1am today (April 29) after a fire started in a bedroom on the ground floor.

Read more: When you can see WW2 planes including Spitfire and Hurricane do a flypast

Cleveland Fire Brigade said 28 people had to be evacuated from the home, with some taken to a 'sister home' nearby.

Six residents were taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation and a 44-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger.

Richard Keyes, director for Keys Healthcare which operates the home, said: "From the information, we believe a fire started in a resident’s room on the ground floor 10 bed unit causing damage to two adjoining bedrooms.

"The company emergency procedures were enacted, and we are currently working with the fire service and police.

"All residents have been accounted for; however, six residents were taken to hospital to be observed for smoke inhalation.

"Three units out of four remain operational with some of our residents being re-housed at one of our neighbouring care homes while we assess the situation.

"The efforts of our staff must be highly commended."

Cleveland Police said that they were called to the home by the fire service at around 1am on Friday.

A spokesman said: “A number of residents were evacuated and a full road closure put in place to allow emergency services to deal with the situation.

“Six residents remain in hospital today, receiving treatment for smoke inhalation.

Read more: Lorry driver arrested after serious incident near Darlington town centre

“A 44-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and she faces questioning.”

A North East Ambulance Service spokesman said 13 emergency vehicles were sent to the scene and parademics assessed 30 patients in total.

He added: "We transported six to James Cook Hospital and two patients to another address.”

Cleveland Fire Brigade sent seven engines to deal with the blaze and a spokesman said: “There was damage to several rooms and the cause is being investigated."

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054