Fire crews have confirmed that a blaze at a care home has been extinguished after smoke was seen billowing from the building.

Witnesses reported seeing elderly people being wheeled out in wheelchairs as a fire signed the roof of the Dean Wood care home in Warren Road, Woodingdean.

Thick black smoke filled the air in the area with firefighters tackling the blaze for over an hour.

Robyn Cook, who witnessed the blaze, said: "They were wheeling the elderly out on wheelchairs and everyone was being evacuated.

"I drove past and we could just see the black smoke filling the air."

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that five fire engines, including an aerial platform, were tackling the blaze at around 3.15pm this afternoon.

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The care home, described as an "architecturally modern home that provides a unique personality to give our residents a place to be proud of", is run by healthcare provider Bupa.

A fire service spokeswoman said at the time of the incident: "We were called at 3.18pm on 30 August 2023 to reports of a fire at a property on Warren Road, Woodingdean, Brighton.

The Argus: Fire at the siteFire at the site (Image: Robyn Cook)

"There are five fire engines with crews from Roedean, Preston Circus, Hove and Lewes in attendance, along with an Aerial Ladder Platform and Incident Control Unit.

"The Aerial Ladder Platform, one main jet and one hydrant are currently in use.”

The fire was confirmed to have been extinguished at around 4.45pm.

Aerial photos appear to show that the fire has singed the roof of the building.

Dean Wood care home was voted one of the UK’s top luxury care comes in 2021 and offers a number of facilities including “interactive pet therapy” and “wrap around landscaped gardens”.

Bupa were approached for comment.