Cigarette started care home fire

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A FIRE at a Tile Hill care home was started by a partially-lit cigarette in a coat hanging on the back of the door in a resident's bedroom, The Observer understands.

Firefighters were called to The Knowles care home in Duggins Lane shortly after 5.30pm on Saturday.

Around 38 elderly residents and six members of staff had been evacuated from the property and two elderly women who lived there were taken to hospital and four other people were treated on scene.

An 83-year-old woman suffered burns to her leg and the second woman, also in her 80s, suffered smoke inhalation. Both were taken to University Hospital.

Three other residents and one member of staff were given oxygen by crews as they too had suffered mild smoke inhalation.

All four were discharged on scene and did not require hospital treatment, a spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said.