Two people in hospital after Blackpool care home fire

Two Blackpool care home residents have been taken to hospital following a fire while 21 others were treated at the scene of the blaze.

Emergency services were called to Queens Promenade in Bispham shortly after 20:22 BST on Wednesday.

Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said it deployed five fire engines to Waterside Care Home. Local roads including Queens Promendade, near its junction with Cliff Place, were closed.

A major incident was initially declared by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) before it was stood down.

A statement from the service said: "NWAS has treated 21 people on scene and two residents have been taken to Blackpool Victoria hospital by ambulance. We wish them all a speedy recovery.

"We dispatched seven ambulances, four Hazardous Area Response Teams, three officers, an advanced paramedic and a doctor to the scene."

The fire service confirmed it did not believe the blaze was suspicious.

Firefighters wore breathing equipment and used several hose reels to extinguish the fire, a spokesperson said.

Some of the residents were moved to a nearby pub, The Highlands, during the fire.

Bethany Higgins, who works there, said "people were coming in in wheelchairs, people were coming in in beds, paramedics, care workers, family members" and the pub was "packed".

"I wasn't aware what was going on down the street, so I was shocked," the 20-year-old added.

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