Residents at a Blackburn care home have been moved to alternative accommodation after an inspection found serious fire safety risks.

The evacuation was carried out following an inspection of Springfield Cottage care home in Preston New Road by the CQC and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

The CQC inspection of the home on 1 June found “significant shortfalls in the assessment, management and mitigation of risk in relation to people’s safety in the event of a fire”.

There were 24 people living in the home at the time of the inspection, including those living with dementia.

The regulator said further measures were superseded by enforcement taken by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, who commented: “Following breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 identified at a residential care home in Blackburn, the premises has been restricted which means residents had to leave. We have worked closely with Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council to ensure the safety of all those affected.”

Mark Warren, strategic director of adults & health at Blackburn with Darwen Council, commented: “Springfield Cottage is an independent residential home, however, the council commissioned the care for the majority of residents living at the home. As such, we had a duty of care to residents of the home.

“Since being alerted by Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service to serious issues around fire safety at Springfield Cottage last month, we worked very closely with them to assess risks to the elderly residents, with their wellbeing first and foremost in all our decisions and actions.   

“Moving residents out of their home is always a last resort, and the decision to rehome Springfield Cottage residents was not taken lightly. However, it is something that we had to do to be able to ensure their safety, which was the main concern of everyone involved. We simply could not leave people in accommodation that had been served with a restriction notice from the Fire Service. 

“Council social work teams swiftly made contact with all 23 residents of Springfield Cottage and their families. Our social workers carried out full social care assessments with each person to ensure that the new accommodation sourced was based on their individual needs. The relocations were carried out successfully and reviews have since been undertaken.

“The moves are permanent/for as long as the people affected wish to remain in their new accommodation. Returning to Springfield Cottage will be the choice of the residents and their families. At this time, the home is not able to accommodate new residents. In the event the home wishes to open again for business, the council would only commission placements if the home is fully able to demonstrate how it meets rigorous quality of care standards and also how the concerns highlighted on the fire notice have been fully addressed.”

Louise Taylor, executive director of adult services and health and wellbeing at Lancashire County Council, said: “Since being alerted by Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service to serious issues around fire safety at Springfield Cottage, we have worked closely with them and Blackburn with Darwen Council to take swift and appropriate action.

“A small number of Lancashire County Council-funded residents were living in the home and have been moved.

“Social workers have consulted with the residents and their families throughout this process and supported them to secure alternative care provision.

“All of the residents have now been relocated to new locations that are able to meet their needs and our social workers are continuing to work with these residents and the families to help them with this transition.”