Harwich care home fire cause ruled accidental by fire service

A number of fire crews were called to the scene in Harwich

A fire that led to 27 residents and staff being evacuated from a care home was started accidentally, a fire service investigation found.

Crews from across Essex tackled the flames coming from the roof space of an unused part of the home on Ramsey Road, Harwich, on Wednesday.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said parts of the building suffered smoke damage.

Residents and staff were looked after at a temporary rest centre.

Group manager Danny Partridge, from the fire service, thanked "all of our partners and agencies" following the operation.