A private care home had to evacuate all its residents in Richmond last week after vandals set fire to the bins outside.

Marling Court, a private care home, in Hampton Square, called the emergency service at around 1.15am on June 23 after a fire, which started outside, spread to the kitchen.

Firefighters and other emergency services, reached the home in minutes and got the fire under control in a very short period of time.

Alykhan Kachra, managing director of Country Court Care, said: "I would like to say an incredibly big thank you to the staff team at Marling Court Care Home, they did a fantastic job of evacuating the building quickly and efficiently ensuring residents’ safety." 

Initial reports said that no one was injured, howerver, a member of staff was takent to A&E, as a precaution, to be checked for smoke inhalation.

The Hampton Pub opened its doors to the evacuated tenants until the fire service declared the home was safe to return and The local White House Centre, run by the YMCA, also stepped in to help.

"I’d also like to thank local residents, local businesses and everyone at the Hampton Pub who assisted in evacuating building and ensuring everybody was okay," added the managing director. 

The kitchen and its roof was severely damaged and a small number of bedrooms suffered smoke damage.

Evelyn Repkovas , home manager, said: “Residents and staff are now settled back in their home after the incident." 

"The residents have coped very well and are happy to be getting back to their normal routine," the manager added.

"I am very proud of our staff, they’ve really done a wonderful job of reassuring the residents and ensuring everyone was safe”.

The Council has offered support to help the home and the Police are currently investigating the cause of the fire.