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Residents from a home for adults with special needs will be living somewhere else for the rest of this week, after a washing machine fire forced them to evacuate on Sunday night.
Staff at Shotley Villa - a home for adults with varying degrees of learning disability, sensory and physical disabilities - noticed the washing machine fire on Sunday evening.
The appliance was in the upstairs kitchen, and while no residents or staff were injured, the building did have to be evacuated.
In fact, Guernsey Fire & Rescue said the damage of the fire had been limited thanks to one of the staff's recent attendance at a Fire Marshalling course. A fire blanket was used to limit the flames before the evacuation started.
"Luckily the occupier had been on a Fire Marshalling and Extinguisher course recently here at the Station and used a fire blanket to try to suffocate the fire before evacuating the property. The training they received together with their quick thinking helped to reduce fire damage to the property and ensure everyone made it out safely," a spokesperson for GFRS said.
Civil Protection diverted traffic around the building while the fire was dealt with.
Pictured: A GFRS picture of the kitchen where the washing machine was.
Health & Social Care have confirmed all of the residents will be living at the Ellingham Cottages for the rest of this week while a full assessment is done and an idea of the timescales for repair can be worked out.
"HSC would like to thank a neighbour who took everyone in while staff secured alternative overnight accommodation at the Ellingham self-catering cottages in St Martins," a spokesperson said.
"Initial reports from staff have advised of fire and smoke damage in the upstairs kitchen and water damage to the downstairs kitchen and office. The HSC estates team are due to inspect the property today to fully assess the damage.
"HSC staff have managed to secure accommodation for all residents at the Ellingham cottages for the rest of this week whilst a full assessment is carried out and an idea of the timescales for repair can be established."
Pictured top: Shotley Villa is on Grandes Maison Road.
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