Crews tackle blaze at former care home

The derelict property was "well alight" upon arrival, WSFRS said

Fire crews have been tackling a large blaze at a derelict former care home near East Grinstead.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (WSFRS) was called at 05:15 BST to reports of a fire at a derelict property off Plawhatch Lane near Sharpthorne.

Nearby residents have been advised keep their doors and windows closed due to a "significant amount of smoke".

The former Horncastle House care home was closed by the Care Quality Commission in 2018.

The fire broke out at a derelict former care home building

Crews from Crawley, Turners Hill, Haywards Heath, Horsham, East Grinstead and crews from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service assisted with tackling the blaze.

A WSFRS spokesperson said: “Upon arrival they found the building well alight, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are tackling the fire using three main jets, fognails and a hydrant.

“There is a significant amount of smoke coming from the fire, and residents living nearby are urged to keep their doors and windows closed while this incident is ongoing."

Drivers are also urged to avoid the area, WSFRS said.

Horncastle House, which provided nursing care to older people, most of whom had dementia or memory loss, was closed after residents there were found to have been "left exposed to immediate risk of serious harm or death".

Twenty-three people living at the home were told to "leave immediately" on 14 September 2018.

Fire crews were called to the scene at 05:15 BST on Monday

Residents living nearby have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed due to a "significant amount of smoke"