Inverness nursing home patients safely evacuated following blaze

It has recently been reported that a combination of police officers, paramedics and local residents pulled together to lead dozens of dementia patients to safety following a large fire at a nursing home in Inverness.

As flames tore through the roof of Culloden Court Care Home in Murray Road, Smithton, at about 5.30pm, the 59 elderly patients were evacuated just in time.

Assistant chief fire officer Mike Holme praised the actions of everyone involved with the rescue operation.

He added: “Fire crews are still actively fighting the fire and it is expected that the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service will be in attendance for much of the night.”

Remarkably nobody was injured in the fire as firefighters from stations in Inverness, Beauly, Dingwall and Nairn moved quickly to attend to the situation as the residents of the home were taken away, safely wrapped in blankets.

A temporary refuge was set up at Smithton Primary School for the patients, who were taken there by ambulance.

At this point in time it is not known if the fire was started deliberately or not but according to Inspector Ian Graham of Northern Constabulary, an investigation is already underway into the cause of the blaze.