Residents evacuated after huge blaze at retirement home managed by Your Housing
A major fire at a retirement complex managed by Your Housing Group has led to the evacuation of older residents.
Residents of the 132-home Beechmere complex in Cheshire were taken to nearby rest centres after a fire broke out on Thursday afternoon.
More than 70 firefighters worked throughout the night to control the blaze, which is now in the final stages of being put out.
Your Housing Group is the operational manager of the complex, while Avantage Property owns the building.
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The building has sustained significant damage and has now partially collapsed.
Alternative accommodation arrangements are being made for evacuated residents. A small number of people have been taken to hospital for checks.
Neil Griffiths, who is the fire commander in charge of the incident, said the firefighters’ efforts were “hampered” by the “layout of the site and access to it”.
A representative from Avantage said: "We are devastated by the fire at Beechmere, and we are so relieved that everyone on site were all safely evacuated.
"We would like to thank the Cheshire Fire and Rescue service who have worked tirelessly throughout the night, and all the partner agencies that are working on a multi-agency response to support residents during this incredibly difficult time. The local community have been amazing, and have really come out to support residents who have lost so much, with collection points set up for donations. It is just incredible.
"Our team has been onsite throughout the night and again today. At this moment our priority is to ensure that all residents are safe, comfortable and have somewhere to stay, then we will start looking at a longer term plan.”
Your Housing Group confirmed it managed the site and will be providing a response shortly.
