Image source, Getty Images

That concludes our coverage of the incident at the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage in which three people died.

We'll continue to bring you any further developments in the news story here.

Officials have echoed their sympathies as they've reacted to the "tragic incident" today.

The identities of the three people found dead remains unknown, but the Diocese of Salisbury has called for people to pray for "comfort, strength and healing" to those in need.

Dorset South MP Lloyd Hatton said locals would be "devastated" and sent his "heartfelt condolences" to the loved ones of those who have died.

SGN said it was a "tragic event", as did councillor Gary Suttle, who shared his sympathies.

Speaking at a joint emergency services press conference, Ch Supt Heather Dixey confirmed carbon monoxide poisoning was the "primary line of inquiry" in the investigation into the deaths of three people at the Swanage care home.

She also paid tribute to how the local community responded to the incident.

“Swanage is a close-knit community and I know these very sad deaths will have a significant impact on everyone here. I would like to thank members of the community for the respect, care and kindness they have shown towards one another, with many of them going out of their way to offer help and support to those who have been affected," she added.

BBC South Today will have the latest on the incident in Swanage which led to the deaths of three people at the Gainsborough Care Home.

Watch on BBC One from 18:30 BST or on BBC iPlayer.

An estimated 40 Gainsborough Care Home residents are now being moved from All Saints Church to more suitable accommodation.

People carrying stretchers and wheelchairs have been seen entering the church in Redcliffe Road, to move residents.

Chief Supt Heather Dixey from Dorset Police has confirmed potential carbon monoxide poisoning is the primary line of their inquiries.

Speaking to members of the press, she stressed: "There is nothing to indicate there is any risk to the public."

Our reporters are still on the scene and are now waiting for a press conference on the incident to begin.

Ch Supt Heather Dixey from Dorset Police will be talking alongside Darren Langdown from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service and Susan Thomas, a tactical commander from South Western Ambulance Service Trust.

They have said they're not planning to take questions, but will each be issuing a statement.

• Three people have been found dead and four taken to hospital after an incident at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, Dorset

• Sources have told the BBC that staff dealt with the deaths between 07:00 and 08:30 BST on Wednesday morning, with the first two happening in quick succession
• A local councillor says there is a "suspicion" the deaths "could be attributable to carbon monoxide, but it had not been proven". Gas provider SGN has been approached for comment
• The BBC's social affairs editor has been told the home's boiler was serviced in July this year. A flue was replaced and it passed checks
• Residents of the home - which provides care for older people with a range of conditions including dementia and mobility issues - have been evacuated to a nearby church, and sources have told the BBC they will be moved to other care homes in the area for the next one or two nights

Dorset Council has confirmed it is working with Agincare, which runs Gainsborough Care Home, to support residents.

A spokesperson said the authority was "deeply saddened" to hear of the deaths.

They added: "Many of the residents are vulnerable people with significant care needs, and so we are working with them to understand how to meet their needs in the short term and identify their next steps.

"At this time there is nothing to indicate any risk to the wider public. We understand this incident will have a significant impact on the Swanage community and our thoughts are very much with the families of those who have sadly died at this extremely difficult time."

Alison Holt
Social affairs editor

The residents of Gainsborough Care Home will be moved to other care homes in the area for one or possibly two nights, according to sources, to allow for further investigations.

Places are being found for about 40 people with a range of conditions including dementia and mobility issues.

Some residents are moving to other homes run by Agincare, the company that operates Gainsborough, but other care home providers are also being asked to help.

Police and the fire service are believed to be investigating the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning or some other form of contamination.

I’m told the home’s boiler was serviced in July this year, a flue was replaced, and it passed checks.

Sources say staff at Gainsborough had to deal with three unexpected deaths between 07:00 and 08:30 BST today. The first two deaths happened in quick succession.

Staff moved residents to the nearby church hall, and everyone was checked there, with four people taken to hospital for further investigations.

Since then, care workers have been organising activities for residents to try to keep things as normal as possible for them. They’ve also been in contact with their families.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) says it "will continue to closely monitor" the situation at the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, where three people were found dead this morning.

A spokesperson says the regulator is "aware of the tragic developments" and its "condolences are with those affected".

"We are in contact with the provider and the emergency services to ensure other residents are kept safe," the spokesperson adds.

South Western Ambulance Service says its "thoughts and condolences are with everybody involved in today's sad incident in Swanage".

"We want to thank our people and partners who are continuing to respond to this on-going incident," it says in a post on X, urging people to continue calling 999 in the case of an emergency.

Ten of the service's ambulances, and a "significant" number of other resources, were sent to the incident in the early hours of the morning.

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MP Lloyd Hatton says the deaths at Gainsborough Care Home will "certainly be hitting the whole community hard".

Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, the Labour MP for South Dorset says locals will be "devastated" by the news.

Asked if he had an idea of what the cause of the incident might be, Hatton says it is "really important" to give the emergency services space to carry out their inquiries.

Earlier, in a post on X, he thanked the emergency services for their "rapid response" and offered his "heartfelt condolences" to the loved ones of those who have died.

Sophie Cridland
BBC South, at the scene in Swanage

The Diocese of Salisbury says it prays for those affected by the incident at the care home.

"We pray for the residents and staff of Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, and for the emergency services responding there today," it says in a post on X.

"Bring comfort, strength, and healing to all in need."

The All Saints Church - where the care home residents were evacuated to - is a member of the diocese.

A previous Care Quality Commission (CQC) report on Gainsborough Care Home said it provides personal and nursing care for up to 48 people aged 65 and over.

Its last inspection was published in November 2021, external, when it was rated good in all areas.

The care home looks after people with dementia, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, sensory and mobility issues.